Stress, Loneliness, Depression, Anxiety and Problematic Smartphone Use Among a Sample of Syrian Refugee Adolescents: A Network Approach

Background Previous studies have demonstrated the existence of complex relationships between stress, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and smartphone addiction in adolescents. However, the paucity of studies evaluating the relevant relationships in migrant adolescents necessitates the elimination of uncertainty in a sample of adolescents exposed to trauma and chronic stressors. Method This study capitalizes on network analysis to identify the central factors and possible bridging paths among these variables. Employing 836 Syrian refugee adolescents, we obtained a stable network of the above variables. The central components and the stability of this network were also identified. Results Within this network, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder were the most central nodes, making them the most influential nodes in the development of the network. Stress stands out as the node with the highest connectivity. Conclusion In our study, stress paves the way to smartphone addiction in addition to its significant relationship with psychopathologies. These findings provide a further understanding of the specific roles of stress and related psychopathologies among Syrian refugee adolescents. The identified nodes may be promising targets for prevention and intervention.