JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Internet use exhibits diverse trajectories during adolescence, which may contribute to depressive symptoms. Currently, there is a lack of evidence on whether the association between online use trajectories and depressive symptoms varies between urban and rural areas.

Objective:

This study aims to investigate the association of internet use trajectories with adolescent depressive symptoms and to explore variation in this association between urban and rural areas.

Methods:

This longitudinal study used three-wave data from the 2014-2018 cycle of the China Family Panel Study. Weekly hours of internet use and depressive symptoms were measured using self-reported questionnaires. Latent class growth modeling was performed to identify the trajectories of internet use. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to examine the association between internet use trajectories and depressive symptoms, stratified for rural and urban adolescents.

Results:

Participants were 2,237 adolescents aged 10-15 years at baseline (average age =12·46±1·73). Two latent trajectory classes of internet use were identified: the low growth group (89·8%) and the high growth group (10·2%). Adolescents in the high growth group had a higher risk of developing depressive symptoms (OR = 1·486 [95%CI: 1·065–2·076]) compared to those in the low growth group. In the stratified analysis, the association between internet use trajectories and depressive symptoms was significant solely among rural adolescents (OR = 1·856 [95%CI: 1·164–2·959]).

Conclusions:

This study elucidates the urban-rural difference in the associations between trajectories of internet use and adolescent depressive symptoms. Our findings underscore the importance of prioritizing interventions targeting rural adolescents’ internet use behaviors, ultimately aimed at reducing the negative impact on their mental health.