Association of anxiety and depressive symptoms with Internet gaming disorder〖JZ〗 and emotional-behavioral problems among junior high school students
10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2026173
- VernacularTitle:初中生焦虑抑郁症状与网络游戏成瘾和情绪行为问题的关联
- Author:
XU Yaru, XUE Yan, ZHANG Jinyu, SONG Jieyun, WANG Mei, LIANG Yumin, WANG Lianshun,〖JZ〗 LIU Tiantian, GU Chuanzheng, SONG Feng
1
Author Information
1. School Health Department, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining 272000, Shandong Province, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Anxiety；Depression；Video games；Behavior, addictive；Mental health；Students
- From:
Chinese Journal of School Health
2026;47(6):828-832
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the association role of anxiety and depressive symptoms with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and emotional-behavioral problems among junior high school students, so as to provide references for preventing the occurrence and progression of emotional-behavioral problems in middle school students.
Methods:From September to October 2024, a random cluster sampling method was adopted to select 38 069 students from 28 junior high schools in 14 counties (cities and districts) and functional areas of Jining City, Shandong Province. Surveys were conducted by Nine item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The correlation of emotional and behavioral issues, online game addiction, anxiety and depressive symptoms among junior high school students was analyzed by Speaman correlation analysis. Mediation analysis was used to explore the role of anxiety and depressive symptoms between IGD and emotional-behavioral problems among junior high school students.
Results:The detection rates of emotional-behavioral problems, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and IGD among junior high school students were 19.24 %, 9.48%, 16.69%, and 19.68%, respectively. The scores of emotional-behavioral problems, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms and IGD were 10.00 (6.00, 15.00), 3.00 (0.00, 7.00), and 4.00 (1.00, 8.00), 13.00 (10.00, 19.00), respectively. There were positive correlations between each pair of emotional-behavioral problem, IGD, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms scores ( r =0.51-0.81, all P <0.01). Anxiety and depressive symptoms played mediating roles between IGD and emotional-behavioral problems among junior high school students, with mediating effect values of 0.16 (95% CI =0.15-0.17) and 0.12 (95% CI =0.11-0.14), respectively (both P <0.01).
Conclusions:Anxiety and depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between IGD and emotional-behavioral problems among junior high school students. It is necessary to identify early signs of IGD among junior high school students, strengthen intervention for anxiety and depressive symptoms, to prevent the occurrence and development of emotional and behavioral issues.
