Network Analysis of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Help‐Seeking Youth: A Two‐Wave Study
Xia Hu, Ya Wang, Gui‐fang ChenABSTRACT
Aim
Anxiety and depression often co‐occur in youth, but the symptom‐level processes driving this comorbidity remain unclear. Network theory conceptualizes mental disorders as systems of interacting symptoms. We applied a two‐wave longitudinal network approach to examine depression and anxiety symptoms comorbidity in help‐seeking youth ( N = 836, aged 10–24).
Observation
Depression and anxiety were measured using the Zung Self‐Rating Depression Scale and Zung Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale respectively. We estimated Gaussian graphical models at baseline (T1) and follow‐up (T2, 3–12 months later), and used a Cross‐Lagged Panel Network (CLPN) model to assess predictive relations between symptoms across time.
Result
Results revealed that symptom networks tightened even as symptoms decreased; feelings of uselessness and panic were central symptoms at both time points, poor sleep consistently served as the pivotal bridge between anxiety and depression at both baseline and follow‐up, while crying spells and stomach pain emerged as early drivers of wider symptom spread.
Discussion
These results suggest that intervening on these symptoms may disrupt anxiety–depression cycles. This study supports the use of network models to identify targets for early intervention in youth mental health.