Objective:

To examine the mediating roles of social anxiety and sleep quality in the relationship between excessive Internet use and depressive symptoms among adolescents with depressive disorders, highlighting the significance of understanding these dynamics.

Key Findings:

• Excessive Internet use was positively associated with more severe depressive symptoms, indicating a need for targeted interventions.
• The total indirect effect of excessive Internet use on depressive symptoms accounted for 65.66% of the total effect, underscoring the importance of mediators.
• Social anxiety and sleep quality mediated 24.10% and 26.51% of the total effect, respectively, suggesting areas for therapeutic focus.
• The chain mediating effect of social anxiety and sleep quality accounted for 14.76% of the total effect, highlighting their interconnected roles.

Interpretation:

The findings suggest that excessive Internet use contributes to increased depressive symptoms in adolescents, with social anxiety and sleep quality serving as significant mediators, warranting further research into intervention strategies.

Limitations:

• Cross-sectional design limits causal inferences; future studies should consider longitudinal designs.
• Sample limited to Chinese adolescents, affecting generalizability; replication in diverse populations is recommended.

Conclusion:

Interventions targeting excessive Internet use, social anxiety, and sleep quality may be beneficial for adolescents with depressive disorders, emphasizing the need for comprehensive mental health strategies.