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Problematic Internet Use, Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs, and Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents: A Large-Scale Study in China

Author

Listed:
  • Beifang Fan

    (Department of Psychiatry, Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen 518000, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Wanxing Wang

    (Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
    Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, 510080, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Tian Wang

    (Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
    Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, 510080, China)

  • Bo Xie

    (Department of Psychiatry, Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen 518000, China)

  • Huimin Zhang

    (Department of Psychiatry, Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen 518000, China)

  • Yuhua Liao

    (Department of Psychiatry, Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen 518000, China)

  • Ciyong Lu

    (Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
    Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, 510080, China)

  • Lan Guo

    (Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
    Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Guangzhou, 510080, China)

Abstract

This large-scale study aimed to test, among Chinese adolescents, the association between problematic Internet use (PIU), non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD), and depressive symptoms, as well as the mediating effects of NMUPD on the associations above. This study used the data from the 2017 National School-based Chinese Adolescents Health Survey, and 24,345 students’ questionnaires qualified for the analyses. Generalized linear mixed models and path models were performed. In the models without mediation, PIU was associated with depressive symptoms (unstandardized β estimate = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.25–0.27); frequent use of opioid or sedative was also related to depressive symptoms (unstandardized β estimate for opioid = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.90–3.63; unstandardized β estimate for sedative = 4.45, 95% CI = 3.02–5.88). Additionally, the results of the path models indicated that opioid misuse partially mediated the association between PIU and depressive symptoms. PIU and opioid/sedative misuse were related to the increased risk of depressive symptoms, respectively. The association above might be complicated, and PIU may elevate the risk of opioid or sedative misuse and depressive symptoms, which in turn could worsen the situation of PIU and vice versa. Multidisciplinary health intervention programs to prevent adolescents involving in PIU, as well as NMPUD, are recommended to be provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Beifang Fan & Wanxing Wang & Tian Wang & Bo Xie & Huimin Zhang & Yuhua Liao & Ciyong Lu & Lan Guo, 2020. "Problematic Internet Use, Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs, and Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents: A Large-Scale Study in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:774-:d:313214
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yafei Tan & Ying Chen & Yaogui Lu & Liping Li, 2016. "Exploring Associations between Problematic Internet Use, Depressive Symptoms and Sleep Disturbance among Southern Chinese Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Jiewen Yang & Yangfeng Guo & Xueying Du & Yi Jiang & Wanxin Wang & Di Xiao & Tian Wang & Ciyong Lu & Lan Guo, 2018. "Association between Problematic Internet Use and Sleep Disturbance among Adolescents: The Role of the Child’s Sex," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-9, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Olatz Lopez-Fernandez, 2021. "Emerging Health and Education Issues Related to Internet Technologies and Addictive Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-19, January.

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