Does depression drive technology overuse or vice-versa? a cross-lagged panel analysis of bidirectional relationships among Chinese university students

• Published in: BMC Psychology Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 492 - 10
• Main Authors: Zhan, Yuting, Ding, Xu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 09.05.2025; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Analysis; Anxiety; Anxiety - psychology; Behavior; Bidirectional relationship; Body mass index; Care and treatment; China - epidemiology; College students; Cross-lagged panel model; Cross-sectional studies; Demographic aspects; Depression; Depression - epidemiology; Depression - psychology; Depression, Mental; Diagnosis; Digital technology; Female; Health aspects; Health promotion; Humans; Hypotheses; Internet access; Longitudinal Studies; Longitudinal study; Male; Mental depression; Methods; Missing data; Motivation; Obesity; Overweight; Prevalence studies (Epidemiology); Psychological aspects; Questionnaires; Sleep; Smartphones; Social aspects; Sociodemographics; Students - psychology; Technology application; Time use; Universities; University students; Young Adult; China; Cross-lagged panel model; University students; China; Longitudinal study; Depression; Bidirectional relationship; Digital technology

The escalating prevalence of depression among university students coincides with unprecedented technology engagement, yet the directional relationship remains contested. While cross-sectional research suggests associations between technology use patterns and depressive symptoms, longitudinal evidenc...