Xin Tian

Background and aims: The Spectrum Hypothesis posits that various forms of problematic usage of the internet (PUI) constitute distinct yet related constructs. However, empirical validation of this hypothesis has largely relied on cross-sectional data, leaving gaps in understanding the co-developmental trajectories of these behaviors during adolescence, their microsystem predictors, and how identified trajectories are associated with mental health outcomes. This study thus aimed to: (a) identify the heterogeneous co-developmental trajectories of problematic social media use, short video use, and internet game use; (b) examine the microsystem-level factors that predict membership in these distinct trajectories; and (c) investigate how these trajectory classes are associated with mental health outcomes. Methods: A total of 1,975 Chinese middle school students (M _age = 13.51, 52.56% girls) completed measures on three occasions across one year.Results: Parallel process latent class growth modeling revealed five distinct trajectory groups: Low-Stable (61.0%), High-Increasing (8.1%), High-Stable Gaming and Moderate-Decreasing Social Media (15.5%), High-Stable Social Media and Short Video (6.9%), and Moderate-Increasing Social Media (8.4%). Harsh parenting, teacher-student conflict, and bullying victimization predicted worsening co-developmental trajectories. In addition, the High-Increasing class had higher risks for adverse mental health outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, and suicidality) compared to the Low-Stable class, whereas other high-risk classes also showed poorer outcomes (though less severe). Conclusions: These findings support the Spectrum Hypothesis from a developmental perspective, highlighting the importance of considering heterogeneity in understanding the co-developmental patterns of PUI forms, their microsystem predictors, and cumulative effects on adolescent mental health.

It is not uncommon for employees to engage in deviant workplace behavior. Several studies have been conducted on its antecedent variables and negative effects on the organization and its members. However, the effects on employees’ emotions and behavior have been ignored. According to the affective events theory and framework of organizational shame, this study examined how deviant workplace behavior affects employee performance, explored how organizational shame mediates, and investigated the role of perceived organizational support moderators. This study was completed by 435 Chinese employees in total. The results showed the following. (1) Deviant workplace behavior significantly positively predicted organizational shame and negatively predicted job performance. Organizational shame positively predicted job performance. (2) Organizational shame mediated the relationship between deviant workplace behavior and job performance, and there were gender differences in this mediating role. (3) Perceived organizational support weakened the negative effect of deviant workplace behavior on job performance. As a result, this study proves the applicability of the framework of organizational shame in a Chinese context and provides support for the affective events theory, from the perspective of actors. Furthermore, this study offers insight into how to ameliorate the negative effects of deviant workplace behavior.

As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread, local governments in China adopted severe lockdown measures to control the pandemic. People were restricted from traveling for leisure, business, education, and medical treatment. Changes were observed in people’s psychological states as a result of COVID-19. This study aimed to construct a Stress Response Questionnaire based on the stress response theory for use with college students, to access their authentic mental health conditions and provide psychological intervention suggestions and countermeasures for the emergency plan formulated by the education department. The questionnaire was used to collect responses from a sample of 16,353 college students from 34 provinces in China. The results showed that anxiety levels varied by sex, current location, and pandemic region, each of which predicted different levels of emotional disturbance. Thus, we highly recommend that the Chinese college administration implement appropriate intervention programs and procedures to help college students maintain their mental health.