Network analysis of childhood maltreatment and internet addiction in adolescents with major depressive disorder

Abstract Background Childhood maltreatment (CM) is closely linked to internet addiction (IA), especially in adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Previous studies have shown that adolescents who experience CM are more likely to develop IA and other psychological problems. This study aims...

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Main Authors: Song Wang, Feng Geng, Mengyue Gu, Jingyang Gu, Yudong Shi, Yating Yang, Ling Zhang, Mengdie Li, Lei Xia, Huanzhong Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06224-x
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author Song Wang
Feng Geng
Mengyue Gu
Jingyang Gu
Yudong Shi
Yating Yang
Ling Zhang
Mengdie Li
Lei Xia
Huanzhong Liu
author_facet Song Wang
Feng Geng
Mengyue Gu
Jingyang Gu
Yudong Shi
Yating Yang
Ling Zhang
Mengdie Li
Lei Xia
Huanzhong Liu
author_sort Song Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Childhood maltreatment (CM) is closely linked to internet addiction (IA), especially in adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Previous studies have shown that adolescents who experience CM are more likely to develop IA and other psychological problems. This study aims to explore the complex relationship between CM and IA through network analysis, particularly identifying the core symptoms and bridge symptoms to better understand the development of IA in these adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven hospitals in Anhui Province, China, involving 332 adolescents diagnosed with MDD using DSM-5 criteria. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF) and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) were used to assess CM and IA symptoms, respectively. Gender-based network analysis was also performed. Results Network analysis constructed a CM-IA network and identified core and bridge symptoms. “Depress/moody/nervous being offline”, “Request an extension for longer time”, “Sleep loss due to late-night logins”, and “emotional abuse” emerged as central symptoms within the CM-IA network. Additionally, “emotional abuse”, “sexual abuse”, and “complaints about online time” were identified as key bridge symptoms linking CM and IA. These symptoms demonstrated significant connectivity, underscoring their critical role in linking CM and IA. Conclusion The findings highlight the complex relationship between CM and IA in adolescents with MDD. Specific symptoms, such as emotional abuse and online-related symptoms, play important roles in understanding and intervening in adolescent IA. Future interventions should target these core and bridge symptoms for more effective prevention and treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-af524367184249f282865079bd22cf7a2025-08-20T02:13:40ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2024-11-0124111110.1186/s12888-024-06224-xNetwork analysis of childhood maltreatment and internet addiction in adolescents with major depressive disorderSong Wang0Feng Geng1Mengyue Gu2Jingyang Gu3Yudong Shi4Yating Yang5Ling Zhang6Mengdie Li7Lei Xia8Huanzhong Liu9Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Psychology and Sleep Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityAbstract Background Childhood maltreatment (CM) is closely linked to internet addiction (IA), especially in adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Previous studies have shown that adolescents who experience CM are more likely to develop IA and other psychological problems. This study aims to explore the complex relationship between CM and IA through network analysis, particularly identifying the core symptoms and bridge symptoms to better understand the development of IA in these adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven hospitals in Anhui Province, China, involving 332 adolescents diagnosed with MDD using DSM-5 criteria. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF) and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) were used to assess CM and IA symptoms, respectively. Gender-based network analysis was also performed. Results Network analysis constructed a CM-IA network and identified core and bridge symptoms. “Depress/moody/nervous being offline”, “Request an extension for longer time”, “Sleep loss due to late-night logins”, and “emotional abuse” emerged as central symptoms within the CM-IA network. Additionally, “emotional abuse”, “sexual abuse”, and “complaints about online time” were identified as key bridge symptoms linking CM and IA. These symptoms demonstrated significant connectivity, underscoring their critical role in linking CM and IA. Conclusion The findings highlight the complex relationship between CM and IA in adolescents with MDD. Specific symptoms, such as emotional abuse and online-related symptoms, play important roles in understanding and intervening in adolescent IA. Future interventions should target these core and bridge symptoms for more effective prevention and treatment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06224-xInternet dependenceChildhood adversityMajor depressive disorderAdolescentsNetwork analysisMental health intervention
spellingShingle Song Wang
Feng Geng
Mengyue Gu
Jingyang Gu
Yudong Shi
Yating Yang
Ling Zhang
Mengdie Li
Lei Xia
Huanzhong Liu
Network analysis of childhood maltreatment and internet addiction in adolescents with major depressive disorder
BMC Psychiatry
Internet dependence
Childhood adversity
Major depressive disorder
Adolescents
Network analysis
Mental health intervention
title Network analysis of childhood maltreatment and internet addiction in adolescents with major depressive disorder
title_full Network analysis of childhood maltreatment and internet addiction in adolescents with major depressive disorder
title_fullStr Network analysis of childhood maltreatment and internet addiction in adolescents with major depressive disorder
title_full_unstemmed Network analysis of childhood maltreatment and internet addiction in adolescents with major depressive disorder
title_short Network analysis of childhood maltreatment and internet addiction in adolescents with major depressive disorder
title_sort network analysis of childhood maltreatment and internet addiction in adolescents with major depressive disorder
topic Internet dependence
Childhood adversity
Major depressive disorder
Adolescents
Network analysis
Mental health intervention
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06224-x
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