Longitudinal Patterns of Problematic Internet Use and the Predictive Roles of Positive Psychological Constructs: Random-Intercept Latent Transition Analysis
摘要
This study examined (1) the transition patterns of PIU across three time points in Chinese rural adolescents and (2) the potential predictive roles of social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies, as well as subjective well-being (SWB) in the transition patterns of PIU over time. This study involved 4646 Chinese rural adolescents (43.00% boys; Mage = 14.80 years, SD = 1.80). Latent profile analysis (LPA) and random-intercept latent transition analysis (RI-LTA) were performed for data analyses. Three latent profiles were identified: Low PIU, Moderate PIU, and High PIU. Low PIU showed the strongest stability over time among the three groups, and the stability of Moderate PIU and High PIU was close. Higher SEL competencies and SWB were associated with lower PIU status over time. This study facilitates the understanding of the developmental heterogeneity of PIU in a large sample of Chinese rural adolescents. Implications for prevention and intervention strategies were discussed.