Negative life events and Internet addiction: the mediating role of depression

Abstract

Objective To explore the mediating role of depression in the association between life events and Internet addiction, and to provide evidence for the intervention of Internet addiction.

Methods A total of 3 536 students randomly selected from 3 vocational colleges in Anhui Province completed the questionnaire survey, which included adolescents’ demographic characteristics, the Young Internet Addiction Inventory, the Adolescent Life Events Scale, and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale.

Results Of the 3 536 students surveyed, 427 were Internet addicts (12.08%), including 183 boys (14.89%) and 244 girls (10.58%). Negative life events were associated with depression and Internet addiction ( r = −0.30, 0.28, P<0.01); depression was mediated indirectly between negative life events and Internet addiction. There was statistical significance ( a = 0.30, b = 0.13, P< 0.01). Depression-mediated indirect effects accounted for 14.67% of the total effects.

Conclusion Depression plays a mediating role in the relationship between negative life events and adolescents’ Internet addiction, suggesting that we can reduce the incidence of Internet addiction by reducing students’ depression through early psychological diagnosis and psychological quality training.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 探讨学生抑郁在负性生活事件与网络成瘾之间的中介作用, 为网络成瘾的干预提供依据。 方法 采 取整群随机抽样法, 选取安徽省 3 所职业院校 3 536 名学生进行问卷调査, 内容包括一般社会人口统计学特征、Young 网络 成瘾量表、生活事件量表和 Zung 氏抑郁自评量表。 结果 在调査的学生中, 网络成瘾者 427 名 (12.08%), 其中男生 183 名 (14.89%), 女生 244 名 (10.58%)。负性生活事件与抑郁、网络成瘾均相关 ( r 值分别为 −0.30, 0.28, P 值均<0.01); 抑郁在 负性生活事件与网络成瘾之间介导的间接效应有统计学意义 ( a = 0.30, b = 0.13, P<0.01); 抑郁所介导的间接效应在总效应 中所占的比例为 14.67%。 结论 抑郁在负性生活事件与网络成瘾关系中起部分中介作用。可以通过对学生进行早期心 理诊断、心理素质训练等降低抑郁的方法来减少网络成瘾的发生。