Exploring the co-occurrence of internalizing problems and aggression among Chinese adolescents: A cross-lagged panel network analysis.

BACKGROUND

Previous longitudinal studies have established a high co-occurrence between internalizing problems and aggression. Yet, debate persists regarding the temporal ordering of their relationships, and few studies have examined the dynamic interplay between their specific symptoms. This study investigates the co-occurrence between internalizing problems and aggression at the symptom level among adolescents.

METHODS

This study collected data from 1,672 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 13.94, SD = 0.73; 54.2% female) across three waves. Cross-lagged panel network (CLPN) analysis was used to explore the co-occurrence of internalizing problems (measured using the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scales) and aggression (assessed via the Brief Aggression Questionnaire).

RESULTS

The results indicated that internalizing problems were prospectively associated with aggression from Time 1 to Time 2. Among the internalizing symptoms, social anxiety showed the strongest prospective association with hostility (β = 0.12). In contrast, aggression was prospectively associated with internalizing problems from Time 2 to Time 3, suggesting dynamic, time-varying cross-domain associations. Notably, hostility exhibited the strongest prospective association with social anxiety (β = 0.19). When integrating the two CLPNs, we observed reciprocal and temporally varying associations. Social anxiety and hostility emerged as key bridge symptoms linking internalizing problems and aggression.

CONCLUSIONS

At the symptom level, adolescents' internalizing problems and aggression exhibited reciprocal temporal associations. Specifically, hostility and social anxiety functioned as the central bridge symptoms. Targeted interventions aimed at reducing social anxiety and hostility may help disrupt the co-occurrence of internalizing problems and aggression among adolescents.