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The Influence of Childhood Trauma and Family Functioning on Internet Addiction in Adolescents: A Chain-Mediated Model Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Manji Hu

    (Shanghai Pudong New Area Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200124, China)

  • Lin Xu

    (Shanghai Yangjing High School, Shanghai 200122, China)

  • Wei Zhu

    (Education Institute of Yangpu District, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Tingting Zhang

    (Shanghai Pudong New Area Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200124, China)

  • Qiang Wang

    (Shanghai Pudong New Area Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200124, China)

  • Zisheng Ai

    (Department of Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Xudong Zhao

    (Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Chinese-German Institute of Mental Health, Shanghai Pudong New Area Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200124, China)

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of Internet addiction in adolescents, analyze the associations of childhood trauma, systematic family dynamics, and family functioning with Internet addiction, and investigate the mediating chain role of anxiety and depression in the relationship of childhood trauma and family functioning with adolescent Internet addiction. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which general sociodemographic data were obtained from 3357 adolescents in grades 6–12 who were assessed using psychometric instruments such as the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Young Internet Addiction Test, Systematic Family Dynamics Self-Rating Scale (SSFD), Family Functioning Assessment (FAD), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Results: (1) The prevalence of Internet addiction among adolescents was 26.09% (876/3357). The prevalence of childhood trauma was 54.96% (1845/3357), and the prevalence of Internet addiction was significantly different between adolescents who suffered childhood trauma and those who did not (χ 2 = 96.801, ν = 1, p = 0.000). (2) Childhood trauma and various dimensions of systematic family dynamics had a significant negative and positive relationship with poor family functioning and anxiety or depression, respectively. (3) Childhood trauma was a positive predictor of Internet addiction through the chain-mediated effect of anxiety and depression, but there were no direct effects. Poor family functioning was a positive predictor of adolescent Internet addiction, and this positive prediction was augmented by the chain-mediated effect of anxiety and depression. Conclusions: Childhood trauma and poor family functioning or support predicted Internet addiction in adolescents, with anxiety and depression as mediators.

Suggested Citation

  • Manji Hu & Lin Xu & Wei Zhu & Tingting Zhang & Qiang Wang & Zisheng Ai & Xudong Zhao, 2022. "The Influence of Childhood Trauma and Family Functioning on Internet Addiction in Adolescents: A Chain-Mediated Model Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13639-:d:948904
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lin Zhang & Xueyao Ma & Xianglian Yu & Meizhu Ye & Na Li & Shan Lu & Jiayi Wang, 2021. "Childhood Trauma and Psychological Distress: A Serial Mediation Model among Chinese Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-11, June.
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