Network analysis of anxiety, depression and test anxiety in junior high school students

XIU Jin; GUO Fei; CHEN Zhiyan

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0839

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (4) : 390-395. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0839

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Network analysis of anxiety, depression and test anxiety in junior high school students

XIU Jin^1,2, GUO Fei^1,2, CHEN Zhiyan^1,2

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Abstract

Objectives To explore the network structure of anxiety, depression, and test anxiety among middle school students using network analysis, and to identify key symptoms and bridge symptoms within the symptom cluster, so as to get a deeper understanding of the comorbidity among these three conditions and provide a basis for effective prevention and intervention. Methods From December 2023 to January 2024, 1 309 middle school students were surveyed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder sub-scale from the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD), and the Multidimensional Test Anxiety Scale (MTAS). Gaussian graphical network models were used to estimate the network structure. Results Core symptoms in the network included "worrying about whether I can do things well (GAD8)", "depressed (CESD3)", "heart races when I take a test (MTAS8)", "worrying about being good as other kids (GAD3)", and "feeling panicked before exams (MTAS11)". Symptoms bridging anxiety, depression and test anxiety included "feeling depressed (CESD1)", "worrying that one is not as good as other children (GAD3)", "feeling nervous and uneasy (GAD2)", "worrying about things that have already happened (GAD9)", "feeling lonely (CESD6)", "having difficulty concentrating during exams (MTAS14)",and "feeling stomach discomfort during exams (MTAS12)". Conclusions The negative impacts of the comorbidity of anxiety, depression and test anxiety symptoms on middle school students could be reduced through prevention and interventions targeting core and bridge symptoms.

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anxiety / depression / test anxiety / network analysis

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XIU Jin, GUO Fei, CHEN Zhiyan. Network analysis of anxiety, depression and test anxiety in junior high school students[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(4): 390-395 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0839

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