Association between urbanization and Internet addiction

Potential pathways of association from green space to smartphone addiction

Green space is increasingly known to improve physical and mental health. Based on these benefits, green space might also be expected to help mitigate related harmful behavioral patterns, such as obsessive Internet use and relevant addictions. In response, we conducted a study on smartphone addiction, a new form of Internet addiction. We carried out a cross-sectional investigation in August 2022. We recruited 1011 smartphone users across China, measured the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in their residential neighborhoods (in 1, 2, and 3 km buffers), and captured data on smartphone addiction via the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short version (SAS-SV). Potential mediators between green space and smartphone addiction, including physical activity, stress, and loneliness, were also reported by participants using the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PRS-3), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21), and 8-items UCLA Loneliness Scale scales (ULS-8). Multiple linear regression was employed to examine the relationships between green space and smartphone addiction. Structural equation modeling was performed to examine the potential pathways between these variables. Unexpectedly, NDVI in 1 km buffers was positively associated with smartphone addiction. By contrast, population density, an indicator of urbanization, was associated with lower levels of smartphone addiction levels in all NDVI buffer sizes. Meanwhile, we found NDVI was strongly associated with population density as well as other indicators of urbanization. Generally, our findings are unexpected and suggest that greenness may serve as an indicator of urbanization at national levels and that urbanization may buffer against smartphone addiction. During the hot summer, green space and indoor facilities may have competitive land uses, so future research should examine whether this association exists in other seasons and scenarios. We also recommend alternative models to systematically evaluate the effects of different components of residential environments.

Anxiety predicts internet addiction, which predicts depression among male college students: A cross-lagged comparison by sex

Objectives

Internet addiction has become an increasingly serious public health issue, putting young people at particular risk of psychological harm. This study aimed to analyze the interactions between college students' depression, anxiety, and Internet addiction and explore how these interactions differ between men and women.

Methods

A 6-month follow-up study was conducted on 234 college students using the Self-Rating Depression Scale, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and Revised Chen Internet Addiction Scale.

Results

Depression, anxiety, and Internet addiction were positively correlated (p < 0.01). Anxiety can predict Internet addiction and that Internet addiction can predict depression. Moreover, anxiety had a significant predictive effect on Internet addiction among men.

Conclusion

Anxiety predicts Internet addiction, and Internet addiction predicts depression among male college students. These findings may better inform future Internet addiction intervention strategies. Particularly, interventions may better address Internet addiction by focusing on the role of anxiety, especially among men.