Network analysis of the association between social anxiety and problematic smartphone use in college students
BackgroundSocial anxiety (SA) and problematic smartphone use (PSU) have become increasingly common among college students in recent decades, with research indicating a mutual increase in risk. This study aim to deepen the understanding of how SA and PSU are interconnected at the symptom-level within...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1508756/full |
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| author | Wanying Xing Xianyang Wang Tingwei Feng Jiaxin Xie Chang Liu Xiuchao Wang Hui Wang Lei Ren Lei Ren Xufeng Liu |
| author_facet | Wanying Xing Xianyang Wang Tingwei Feng Jiaxin Xie Chang Liu Xiuchao Wang Hui Wang Lei Ren Lei Ren Xufeng Liu |
| author_sort | Wanying Xing |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundSocial anxiety (SA) and problematic smartphone use (PSU) have become increasingly common among college students in recent decades, with research indicating a mutual increase in risk. This study aim to deepen the understanding of how SA and PSU are interconnected at the symptom-level within this demographic using network analysis.MethodsWe recruited 1,197 college students from four institutions in Shaanxi Province, China. Symptoms of SA and PSU were assessed through self-report questionnaires. A regularized Gaussian graphical model was used to estimate the relationships between these symptoms. We calculated Bridge Expected Influence (BEI) to identify key symptoms contributing to their co-occurrence. Additionally, a network comparison test was conducted to examine potential gender differences in the BEI values of the SA-PSU network.ResultsDistinct relationships were observed between SA and PSU symptoms. Notably, the connections between ‘Get embarrassed very easily’ (SA3) and ‘shyness in new situations’ (PSU1), as well as between SA3 and ‘Escape or relieve negative moods’ (PSU8), showed the strongest inter-construct connections. SA3 and PSU8 were identified as the key symptoms contributing to the co-occurrence, with the highest BEI. Network comparison tests between males and females revealed no significant differences in global expected influence, between-community edges weights, and BEI.ConclusionThe key bridging symptoms this study identified supports the existing theories about the co-occurrence of SA and PSU, and contributes to understanding the underlying mechanisms. Our findings suggest that interventions targeting negative emotions in daily interactions could be effective in reducing PSU. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f05d4f9ebad8461db2b97ba66137f122 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-f05d4f9ebad8461db2b97ba66137f1222025-01-23T06:56:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-01-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.15087561508756Network analysis of the association between social anxiety and problematic smartphone use in college studentsWanying Xing0Xianyang Wang1Tingwei Feng2Jiaxin Xie3Chang Liu4Xiuchao Wang5Hui Wang6Lei Ren7Lei Ren8Xufeng Liu9Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’ an, ChinaDepartment of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’ an, ChinaDepartment of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’ an, ChinaDepartment of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’ an, ChinaBrainPark, School of Psychological Sciences, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, AustraliaDepartment of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’ an, ChinaDepartment of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’ an, ChinaMilitary Psychology Section, Logistics University of People’s Armed Police Force, Tianjin, ChinaMilitary Mental Health Services & Research Center, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’ an, ChinaBackgroundSocial anxiety (SA) and problematic smartphone use (PSU) have become increasingly common among college students in recent decades, with research indicating a mutual increase in risk. This study aim to deepen the understanding of how SA and PSU are interconnected at the symptom-level within this demographic using network analysis.MethodsWe recruited 1,197 college students from four institutions in Shaanxi Province, China. Symptoms of SA and PSU were assessed through self-report questionnaires. A regularized Gaussian graphical model was used to estimate the relationships between these symptoms. We calculated Bridge Expected Influence (BEI) to identify key symptoms contributing to their co-occurrence. Additionally, a network comparison test was conducted to examine potential gender differences in the BEI values of the SA-PSU network.ResultsDistinct relationships were observed between SA and PSU symptoms. Notably, the connections between ‘Get embarrassed very easily’ (SA3) and ‘shyness in new situations’ (PSU1), as well as between SA3 and ‘Escape or relieve negative moods’ (PSU8), showed the strongest inter-construct connections. SA3 and PSU8 were identified as the key symptoms contributing to the co-occurrence, with the highest BEI. Network comparison tests between males and females revealed no significant differences in global expected influence, between-community edges weights, and BEI.ConclusionThe key bridging symptoms this study identified supports the existing theories about the co-occurrence of SA and PSU, and contributes to understanding the underlying mechanisms. Our findings suggest that interventions targeting negative emotions in daily interactions could be effective in reducing PSU.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1508756/fullsocial anxietyproblematic smartphone usenetwork analysissex differencecollege students |
| spellingShingle | Wanying Xing Xianyang Wang Tingwei Feng Jiaxin Xie Chang Liu Xiuchao Wang Hui Wang Lei Ren Lei Ren Xufeng Liu Network analysis of the association between social anxiety and problematic smartphone use in college students Frontiers in Psychiatry social anxiety problematic smartphone use network analysis sex difference college students |
| title | Network analysis of the association between social anxiety and problematic smartphone use in college students |
| title_full | Network analysis of the association between social anxiety and problematic smartphone use in college students |
| title_fullStr | Network analysis of the association between social anxiety and problematic smartphone use in college students |
| title_full_unstemmed | Network analysis of the association between social anxiety and problematic smartphone use in college students |
| title_short | Network analysis of the association between social anxiety and problematic smartphone use in college students |
| title_sort | network analysis of the association between social anxiety and problematic smartphone use in college students |
| topic | social anxiety problematic smartphone use network analysis sex difference college students |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1508756/full |
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