Mental health and internet addiction: prevalence and risk factors among vocational high school students in Henan, China.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the prevalence and influencing factors of mental health problems among vocational high school students in Henan Province, China, with varying levels of internet addiction.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between June and August 2018, involving 3,051 vocational high school students selected through stratified cluster sampling. Data were collected using demographic questionnaires, the Internet Addiction Test, and the Mental Health Inventory for Middle-School Students. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify influencing factors.

RESULTS

The prevalence of mental health problems was 59% (95% CI: 57-61%). Among average, problematic, and addictive internet users, prevalence rates were 65% (95% CI: 63-67%), 54% (95% CI: 51-57%), and 34% (95% CI, 28-40%), respectively. Across the overall population and subgroups, physical illness, chronic constipation, and loneliness were consistently associated with higher mental health risks (p < 0.05). Additionally, ethnic minority status, sexual behavior, and lower maternal education were significant risk factors in the overall population, average users, and problematic users (p < 0.05). Smoking was also linked to higher mental health risks in the overall and average user groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Mental health issues among vocational high school students, particularly those with internet addiction, are prevalent and severe. Early interventions targeting key risk factors are critical to improving mental health outcomes in this population.