Cross-Lagged Panel Network Analysis Between Internet Addiction and Depression: Gender and Mid-Late Adolescent Differences

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2026 Apr 29. doi: 10.1007/s10578-026-02022-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Although increasing evidence links internet addiction (IA) with depressive symptoms in adolescents, the temporal dynamics between specific symptoms, especially across developmental stages and genders, remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to examine the dynamic longitudinal relations between IA and depression at the symptom level and to characterize how these relations evolve from mid- to late-adolescence. A total of 2,864 Chinese adolescents (49.2% males; aged 12-18 years) participated in this study. Depressive symptoms and IA were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale and the 8-item Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (IAD-DQ-8) scale at two time points. Cross-lagged panel network (CLPN) analysis was conducted to examine longitudinal symptom-to-symptom relations between IA and depression. Across the overall network, escape use (I8), negative affect (D2), and loss of interest (D3) emerged as key bridge nodes. In mid-adolescence, risking friends or opportunities (I6) negatively predicted depressive symptoms, with unsigned In-BEI concentrated on negative affect (D2) and loss of interest (D3). In late-adolescence, concealment of use (I7) and escape use (I8) formed the most prominent pathways, with In-BEI centered on somatic (D1) and interpersonal difficulties (D4). Males showed greater sensitivity to somatic (D1), preoccupation (I1), and escape use (I8), whereas females were more sensitive to interpersonal difficulties (D4), irritability (I4), and concealment of use (I7). Symptom-level links between IA and depression differed by developmental stage and gender. Mid-adolescents showed approach-oriented use driven by reward and mood regulation, suggesting structured management of internet use with diversified offline activities. Late adolescents exhibited escape-driven, distress-regulating use, calling for interventions that address stress sources rather than impose blanket restrictions. For males, enhancing self-control and preventing overuse are key, whereas for females, strengthening real-life interpersonal ties is crucial.

PMID:42050296 | DOI:10.1007/s10578-026-02022-6