The longitudinal comorbidity of specific problematic internet use and psychological distress: A cross-lagged panel network analysis

Studies have used network analysis to show the progression of problematic internet use (PIU). The present study examined the longitudinal comorbidity network models of specific types of PIU and psychological distress over time. A total of 685 undergraduate students (mean age = 19.12 years) completed three waves of surveys assessing two specific types of PIU (problematic social media use [PSMU] and problematic online video watching [POVW]) and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress). Results showed that the ‘down-heartedness’ symptom of depression and the ‘agitation’ symptom of stress were consistently the most central symptoms in the PIU-psychological distress comorbidity network. ‘Mood modification’ and ‘conflict/functional impairment’ related to social media were the bridging symptoms that connected the other symptoms in the first two waves of studies. The ‘no initiative’ symptom of depression became the key bridging symptom in the third wave. Similarly, cross-lagged panel network analysis showed that PSMU symptoms (e.g., ‘conflict/functional impairment’) were the most influential and susceptible symptoms in earlier waves, while depression symptoms became key predictors of other symptoms over time in the comorbidity network. The findings provide new perspectives and means for the diagnosis and treatment of PIU and associated mental health illnesses.