BMC Pediatr. 2025 Nov 3;25(1):892. doi: 10.1186/s12887-025-06264-6.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study uses network analysis to investigate the network structure linking school adjustment and mental health among adolescents in Shandong Province. The objectives include identifying core symptoms within symptom clusters, examining the interactions between school adjustment and mental health, and providing evidence-based insights to help suggest potential intervention targets.
METHODS: The data were provided by the Shandong University Database of Youth Health in Population Health Data Archive. School Social Behavior Scale (SSBS) and Symptom Check List 90 (SCL-90) were used to estimate the school adjustment and mental health status of adolescents, respectively. Network analysis was performed using R software to construct the symptom network structure and assess the degree of centrality, bridge strength, stability, and precision of each item.
RESULTS: Among the 11,949 adolescents aged 11-18 years in Shandong Province were included in the study, 5695 (47.7%) were males and 6254 (52.3%) were females. “Obsessive compulsive (SCL-2)” and “Interpersonal sensitivity (SCL-3)” were the most strongly connected. The symptom with the highest strength was “Anxiety (SCL-5)”. “Antisocial behavior (SSBS-2)” was the symptom with the highest bridge strength. “Antisocial behavior (SSBS-2)” and “Hostility (SCL-6)” were extremely distinct bridge symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: “Anxiety (SCL-5)” plays a central role in the symptom network of school adjustment and mental health among adolescents. This study fully capture the complex interactions and networked relationships between these two psychological traits, and suggest potential intervention targets by targeting core and bridge symptoms in the symptom network.
PMID:41184842 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-025-06264-6
