Testing Longitudinal Relationships between Internet Addiction and Well-Being in Hong Kong Adolescents: Cross-Lagged Analyses Based on three Waves of Data

Abstract

Using a panel design, this study examined the prospective relationships between Internet addiction and life satisfaction as well as hopelessness in a representative sample of Hong Kong adolescents. Starting from 2009/10 academic year, 3328 Secondary 1 students in 28 secondary schools in Hong Kong participated in this longitudinal study (Mean age = 12.59 years; SD = 0.74 years). All participants responded to a questionnaire that includes the Internet Addiction Test, Life Satisfaction Scale, and Hopelessness Scale on a yearly basis. Cross-lagged analyses based on three waves of data collected during three junior adolescent years showed that Internet addiction measured at Time 1 predicted poor life satisfaction and hopelessness at Time 2, but not vice versa. Similarly, Internet addiction at Time 2 predicted low life satisfaction at Time 3, and the cross-lagged effects of life satisfaction and hopelessness on Internet addiction from Time 2 to Time 3 remained non-significant. The findings support the thesis that poor personal well-being in adolescents is the consequence rather than the cause of Internet addictive behaviors. To improve quality of life and prevent suicidality in adolescents, strategies that help reduce addictive behaviors related to the Internet should be considered.

The Influence of Personal Well-Being on Learning Achievement in University Students Over Time: Mediating or Moderating Effects of Internal and External University Engagement

“…These constructs represent essential and common components used in effective PYD programs that promote positive youth outcomes and prevent youth problematic behaviors (Catalano et al, 2002 ). To further investigate whether development of these PYD attributes could contribute to students' outcomes in later years, researchers have conducted empirical longitudinal studies and gained supportive findings among middle school students (Sun and Shek, 2013 ; Yu and Shek, 2017 ). The present study extends such research into higher education context and suggests that enhancing positive developmental assets could be a promising strategy to promote student success in higher education.…”

Prevalence of Internet Addiction and its Association with Self Perceived Life Quality in Shenzhen Adolescents

“…A total score of over 49 was recognized as moderate to severe dependence, which was defined as "having IA" [31]. This scale was widely utilized previously in China as well and satisfactory psychometric properties was reported (Cronbach's Alpha equals 0.713) [6,25].…”

“…IA is defined as incapability to inhibit internet use, which eventually results in deficits of one's daily life and psychological well-being [4]. It is characterized by symptoms including: (1) need for extending online time (tolerance), (2) withdrawal symptoms, (3) inadequate control on Internet use, (4) continuation of Internet use disregarding to problem awareness, (5) excessive online time, (6) negative consequences [5,6]. A bunch of terms were used in literature to describe this condition, such as Pathological Internet Use [7], Internet Abuse [8], Internet Use Disorder, Problematic Internet Use [9] and etc.…”

“…Also, studies attempted to understand the causal relationship between depressive mood and IA. Yu and Shek [6] did a follow-up study and suggested a causal relationship between IA at baseline and later onset depressive mood, resulting in a poorer life satisfaction in terms of mental wellbeing. On the other hand, IA is proposed to be dependent on individual's mood.…”

“…Additionally, understanding the pattern of IA in different population is argued to be significant to develop preventive and treatment plans [6]. Also, different sociocultural factors can have impact on the pattern of IA in an area [25,30].…”