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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Addiction | Research

A longitudinal study of changes in smart phone addiction and depressive symptoms and potential risk factors among Chinese college students

Authors: Xue Yang, Huahua Hu, Chengjia Zhao, Huihui Xu, Xiaolian Tu, Guohua Zhang

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The current study aims to track the changes in the levels of smart phone addiction (SPA) and depressive symptoms between pre and during COVID-19 and potential risk factors of among Chinese college students in a four-wave longitudinal study.

Methods

The participants were recruited from a Chinese university (n = 195; 58.5% females). The first three-wave surveys were conducted before COVID-19 (during December of Year 1, June of Year 1, and December of Year 2 of their college study; Time 1, Time 2, Time 3), while the fourth survey (Time 4; during June of Year 2 of their college study) was conducted in June 2020 during COVID-19. COVID-19-related factors, including quarantine, lockdown, boredom, emotional loneliness, and social loneliness, were investigated.

Results

The results showed a significant increase in the levels of depressive symptoms and prevalence of probable depression during COVID-19 (69.2%) compared to those 18 months, 12 months and 6 months before COVID-19 (41.5, 45.6, 48.2%) but non-significant changes in SPA. Boredom and emotional loneliness were positively associated with both SPA and depressive symptoms during COVID-19. Social loneliness was also positively associated with depressive symptoms during COVID-19. Quarantine and lockdown were not significantly associated with SPA or depressive symptoms.

Discussion and conclusions

The results highlight that the study population may be a high risk group of probable depression. Future studies should continue to track these mental and behavioral status with the progression of the epidemic. The identified emotional factors could be used to reduce depressive symptoms during COVID-19 and prevent the potential risk of SPA.

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Title: A longitudinal study of changes in smart phone addiction and depressive symptoms and potential risk factors among Chinese college students
Authors: Xue Yang
Huahua Hu
Chengjia Zhao
Huihui Xu
Xiaolian Tu
Guohua Zhang
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Addiction
Mood Disorders
Addiction
Affective Disorder
COVID-19
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03265-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

A longitudinal study of changes in smart phone addiction and depressive symptoms and potential risk factors among Chinese college students

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Discussion and conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Discussion and conclusions

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