Network analysis of interactions of rumination and anxiety on smartphone dependence symptoms

ObjectiveRumination and anxiety have been posited as correlates of smartphone dependence (SPD). However, little is known regarding how the components of both affect SPD symptoms at subtle levels. Therefore, we used the network analysis approach to identify the connections at a micro level to provide...

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Main Authors: Sen sen Zhang, Shao hong Yong, Jia tai Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1506721/full
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author Sen sen Zhang
Sen sen Zhang
Shao hong Yong
Shao hong Yong
Jia tai Chen
author_facet Sen sen Zhang
Sen sen Zhang
Shao hong Yong
Shao hong Yong
Jia tai Chen
author_sort Sen sen Zhang
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveRumination and anxiety have been posited as correlates of smartphone dependence (SPD). However, little is known regarding how the components of both affect SPD symptoms at subtle levels. Therefore, we used the network analysis approach to identify the connections at a micro level to provide possible interventions for reducing SPD symptoms.MethodsUsing symptom-level network analysis, we used the ruminative response scale-10, the generalized anxiety disorder scale-7, and the mobile phone addiction index scale-17 to investigate Chinese preservice teachers (Mage = 21.1, N = 1160). Subsequently, we estimated a graphical lasso correlation network for these teachers, which encompassed rumination components, anxiety components, and SPD symptoms. Specifically, the central and bridge centralities within the network structure were examined for the impacts of rumination and anxiety on SPD symptoms.ResultsThe three intracluster connections of rumination, anxiety, and SPD were tighter than the intercluster, with structural connections in rumination and anxiety networks closer than the triggered SPD symptoms cluster. Importantly, reflection reactions towards “write down what you are thinking and analyze it” (a component of rumination) were identified as a central and bridging node that might be a target for intervention for SPD symptoms.ConclusionWe identify potential edge-bridging rumination and anxiety on SPD and locate highly central components within each cluster via network analysis.
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language English
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Psychiatry
spelling doaj-art-9a153aea5f8140d99198b1d0a6a07b4a2025-02-04T06:32:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-02-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.15067211506721Network analysis of interactions of rumination and anxiety on smartphone dependence symptomsSen sen Zhang0Sen sen Zhang1Shao hong Yong2Shao hong Yong3Jia tai Chen4Faculty of Business Administration, Guangzhou Institute Of Science And Technology, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Psychology, Institute of Teacher Education, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, ChinaFaculty of Business Administration, Guangzhou Institute Of Science And Technology, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Psychology, Institute of Teacher Education, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, ChinaBusiness School, University of Exeter, Exeter, United KingdomObjectiveRumination and anxiety have been posited as correlates of smartphone dependence (SPD). However, little is known regarding how the components of both affect SPD symptoms at subtle levels. Therefore, we used the network analysis approach to identify the connections at a micro level to provide possible interventions for reducing SPD symptoms.MethodsUsing symptom-level network analysis, we used the ruminative response scale-10, the generalized anxiety disorder scale-7, and the mobile phone addiction index scale-17 to investigate Chinese preservice teachers (Mage = 21.1, N = 1160). Subsequently, we estimated a graphical lasso correlation network for these teachers, which encompassed rumination components, anxiety components, and SPD symptoms. Specifically, the central and bridge centralities within the network structure were examined for the impacts of rumination and anxiety on SPD symptoms.ResultsThe three intracluster connections of rumination, anxiety, and SPD were tighter than the intercluster, with structural connections in rumination and anxiety networks closer than the triggered SPD symptoms cluster. Importantly, reflection reactions towards “write down what you are thinking and analyze it” (a component of rumination) were identified as a central and bridging node that might be a target for intervention for SPD symptoms.ConclusionWe identify potential edge-bridging rumination and anxiety on SPD and locate highly central components within each cluster via network analysis.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1506721/fullnetwork analysisruminationanxietysmartphone dependencepreservice teachers
spellingShingle Sen sen Zhang
Sen sen Zhang
Shao hong Yong
Shao hong Yong
Jia tai Chen
Network analysis of interactions of rumination and anxiety on smartphone dependence symptoms
Frontiers in Psychiatry
network analysis
rumination
anxiety
smartphone dependence
preservice teachers
title Network analysis of interactions of rumination and anxiety on smartphone dependence symptoms
title_full Network analysis of interactions of rumination and anxiety on smartphone dependence symptoms
title_fullStr Network analysis of interactions of rumination and anxiety on smartphone dependence symptoms
title_full_unstemmed Network analysis of interactions of rumination and anxiety on smartphone dependence symptoms
title_short Network analysis of interactions of rumination and anxiety on smartphone dependence symptoms
title_sort network analysis of interactions of rumination and anxiety on smartphone dependence symptoms
topic network analysis
rumination
anxiety
smartphone dependence
preservice teachers
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1506721/full
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AT shaohongyong networkanalysisofinteractionsofruminationandanxietyonsmartphonedependencesymptoms
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