Psychological distress and internet addiction following the COVID-19 outbreak: Fear of missing out and boredom proneness as mediators.

The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show which factor came first or whether distress caused Internet addiction. Participants were recruited through online social groups and completed self-report measures, so responses may be selective and socially influenced. The sample was young people aged 17 to 28, not a clinical patient group, so findings may not apply to people already receiving mental health care. The authors note that other mediating variables may exist and that a larger sample would be needed.

This work was supported by a Jilin Province science and technology grant and a Jilin Provincial Department of Education research project. The authors declared no relevant financial or non-financial interests.

Do not read this as proof that psychological distress causes Internet addiction or that reducing boredom or fear of missing out will reduce it. The study measured variables at one time, so links do not show cause.