Network characteristics of the youth’s insomnia and emotional symptoms and their gender differences

ObjectiveTo explore the association between sleep disorders and symptoms of depression and anxiety in the youth and to analyze the influence of gender factors.MethodsUsing the Mental Health Status Survey Questionnaire for Adolescent Students compiled by Professor Maosheng Ran, a survey was conducted...

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Main Authors: Chang Liu, Lie Zhou, Xiao-Xia Pi, Bo Liu, Xin-Feng Zhang, Wen-Can Wei, Suo-Cheng Nie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1597652/full
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author Chang Liu
Chang Liu
Chang Liu
Chang Liu
Lie Zhou
Lie Zhou
Xiao-Xia Pi
Xiao-Xia Pi
Bo Liu
Bo Liu
Bo Liu
Bo Liu
Xin-Feng Zhang
Xin-Feng Zhang
Wen-Can Wei
Suo-Cheng Nie
Suo-Cheng Nie
Suo-Cheng Nie
Suo-Cheng Nie
author_facet Chang Liu
Chang Liu
Chang Liu
Chang Liu
Lie Zhou
Lie Zhou
Xiao-Xia Pi
Xiao-Xia Pi
Bo Liu
Bo Liu
Bo Liu
Bo Liu
Xin-Feng Zhang
Xin-Feng Zhang
Wen-Can Wei
Suo-Cheng Nie
Suo-Cheng Nie
Suo-Cheng Nie
Suo-Cheng Nie
author_sort Chang Liu
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveTo explore the association between sleep disorders and symptoms of depression and anxiety in the youth and to analyze the influence of gender factors.MethodsUsing the Mental Health Status Survey Questionnaire for Adolescent Students compiled by Professor Maosheng Ran, a survey was conducted and 7247 valid responses were collected (valid response rate of 79.11%). Integrating the Insomnia Severity Index(ISI), Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale(GAD-7), network analysis was employed to assess the network structure, symptom associations, and gender differences related to insomnia, depression, and anxiety among youth.ResultsIn the network of insomnia, depression, and anxiety symptoms among youth, the highest strength centrality values were observed for “excessive worry,” “fatigue,” “sleep dissatisfaction,” and “distress caused by sleep difficulties.” Five bridge symptoms were identified: “fatigue,” “nervousness,” “suicidal ideation,” “motor,” and “guilt.” Significant differences in network structures existed between genders, specifically in network invariance (M = 0.909, p = 0.025) and global strength (males = 75.155, females = 70.527; S = 4.628, p = 0.041). Additionally, males showed significantly higher bridge strength in “anhedonia” than females (p = 0.044).ConclusionsThis study revealed that insomnia, anxiety, and depression symptoms among youth are closely interconnected. Core symptoms such as “excessive worry” and “sleep dissatisfaction,” along with bridge symptoms like “fatigue,” “nervousness,” and “suicidal ideation,” represent potential intervention targets, with fatigue playing a dual role in the network. Males require particular attention regarding the intervention of “anhedonia.” Targeted improvement of these key symptoms may help break the cycle of comorbidity and provide precise directions for mental health interventions among young people.
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spelling doaj-art-26e96aeca8e64555ab12853ed09c331d2025-08-20T03:45:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-06-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.15976521597652Network characteristics of the youth’s insomnia and emotional symptoms and their gender differencesChang Liu0Chang Liu1Chang Liu2Chang Liu3Lie Zhou4Lie Zhou5Xiao-Xia Pi6Xiao-Xia Pi7Bo Liu8Bo Liu9Bo Liu10Bo Liu11Xin-Feng Zhang12Xin-Feng Zhang13Wen-Can Wei14Suo-Cheng Nie15Suo-Cheng Nie16Suo-Cheng Nie17Suo-Cheng Nie18Mental Health Center of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaMental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, Jingzhou Rongjun Special Care Hospital, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, Jingzhou Mental Health Center, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaMental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaInstitute of Psychiatry, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, Jingzhou Rongjun Special Care Hospital, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, Jingzhou Mental Health Center, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaMental Health Center of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaMental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, Jingzhou Rongjun Special Care Hospital, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, Jingzhou Mental Health Center, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, Jingzhou Rongjun Special Care Hospital, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, Jingzhou Mental Health Center, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Area Hospital, Pingtan, Fujian, ChinaMental Health Center of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaMental Health Institute of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, Jingzhou Rongjun Special Care Hospital, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaDepartment of Psychiatry, Jingzhou Mental Health Center, Jingzhou, Hubei, ChinaObjectiveTo explore the association between sleep disorders and symptoms of depression and anxiety in the youth and to analyze the influence of gender factors.MethodsUsing the Mental Health Status Survey Questionnaire for Adolescent Students compiled by Professor Maosheng Ran, a survey was conducted and 7247 valid responses were collected (valid response rate of 79.11%). Integrating the Insomnia Severity Index(ISI), Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale(GAD-7), network analysis was employed to assess the network structure, symptom associations, and gender differences related to insomnia, depression, and anxiety among youth.ResultsIn the network of insomnia, depression, and anxiety symptoms among youth, the highest strength centrality values were observed for “excessive worry,” “fatigue,” “sleep dissatisfaction,” and “distress caused by sleep difficulties.” Five bridge symptoms were identified: “fatigue,” “nervousness,” “suicidal ideation,” “motor,” and “guilt.” Significant differences in network structures existed between genders, specifically in network invariance (M = 0.909, p = 0.025) and global strength (males = 75.155, females = 70.527; S = 4.628, p = 0.041). Additionally, males showed significantly higher bridge strength in “anhedonia” than females (p = 0.044).ConclusionsThis study revealed that insomnia, anxiety, and depression symptoms among youth are closely interconnected. Core symptoms such as “excessive worry” and “sleep dissatisfaction,” along with bridge symptoms like “fatigue,” “nervousness,” and “suicidal ideation,” represent potential intervention targets, with fatigue playing a dual role in the network. Males require particular attention regarding the intervention of “anhedonia.” Targeted improvement of these key symptoms may help break the cycle of comorbidity and provide precise directions for mental health interventions among young people.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1597652/fullinsomniadepressionanxietygender differencesnetwork analysisyouth
spellingShingle Chang Liu
Chang Liu
Chang Liu
Chang Liu
Lie Zhou
Lie Zhou
Xiao-Xia Pi
Xiao-Xia Pi
Bo Liu
Bo Liu
Bo Liu
Bo Liu
Xin-Feng Zhang
Xin-Feng Zhang
Wen-Can Wei
Suo-Cheng Nie
Suo-Cheng Nie
Suo-Cheng Nie
Suo-Cheng Nie
Network characteristics of the youth’s insomnia and emotional symptoms and their gender differences
Frontiers in Psychiatry
insomnia
depression
anxiety
gender differences
network analysis
youth
title Network characteristics of the youth’s insomnia and emotional symptoms and their gender differences
title_full Network characteristics of the youth’s insomnia and emotional symptoms and their gender differences
title_fullStr Network characteristics of the youth’s insomnia and emotional symptoms and their gender differences
title_full_unstemmed Network characteristics of the youth’s insomnia and emotional symptoms and their gender differences
title_short Network characteristics of the youth’s insomnia and emotional symptoms and their gender differences
title_sort network characteristics of the youth s insomnia and emotional symptoms and their gender differences
topic insomnia
depression
anxiety
gender differences
network analysis
youth
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1597652/full
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