Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) presents significant challenges among adolescents, characterized by compulsive gaming that impairs personal and social functioning. This study investigates the longitudinal relationships between symptoms of IGD and depression in adolescents using cross-lagged panel network analysis (CLPN). We aim to explore how specific symptoms of IGD correlate with depression symptoms over time and understand the mechanisms of comorbidity between these conditions. The sample comprised 538 adolescents (Mean age = 12.51 years, SD = 1.45), assessed annually at two time points. The CLPN model was adjusted for age and gender to control for confounding variables. Our analysis revealed significant directional relationships between IGD and depression symptoms. Notably, symptoms like motor agitation or retardation (MTOR) and suicidal ideation (SUIC) influenced IGD symptoms such as withdrawal (WDRL) and salience (SLEN), suggesting a progression from depressive states to increased gaming behaviors. Conversely, anhedonia (ANHE) showed a protective effect, negatively correlating with IGD symptoms including missing planned activities (IGOR) and gaming preoccupation (SLEN). SUIC and MTOR emerged as central symptoms affecting both disorders, indicating important targets for intervention. These findings highlight the need to focus on specific symptoms like restlessness and self-harm thoughts in interventions to address both depression and problematic gaming in adolescents.

Authors:
Shiyun Chen, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Yue Zhao, University of Macau, Macau
Xinli Chi, Shenzhen University, China
Shimin Zhu, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Miss Shiyun Chen is a third-year Ph.D. student in psychology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, focusing on adolescent internet use behaviors, particularly internet and gaming addiction.

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shiyun-Chen-8

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