Longitudinal correlates of learning burnout among Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-lagged panel network analysis

Abstract

Background: Learning burnout as a serious psychological distress problem among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic was investigated using the cross-lagged panel network models.

Methods: A three-wave study using a sample of 11 to 18-year-olds in China was conducted, with baseline data collected in June 2020 (n = 4156) and follow-ups in December 2020 (n = 3209) and August 2021 (n = 2324). Two temporal cross-lagged panel network models were computed to analyze adolescent learning burnout over time.

Results: The predictive pathway of adolescent learning burnout demonstrates significant temporal specificity. In the early outbreak period, Positive thinking, Appreciation of life and Depression are the most influential predictive symptoms. In the normalized epidemic prevention period, Goal planning, Affect control and Positive thinking are the most influential predictive symptoms. However, during this period, the extent to which adolescent learning burnout is predicted by other symptoms in the networks is significantly reduced.

Limitations: The samples used in this study are not expected to be nationally representative, and therefore the generalizability of the results may be limited.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the predictive roles of Positive thinking, Appreciation of life, and Depression in adolescent learning burnout and the importance of timely intervention on these symptoms in the early outbreak period of public health emergency similar to the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings also illustrate the essentiality of eliminate unstable factors in the school environment during the normalized epidemic prevention period.

Keywords: Adolescent; CLPN; Depression; Learning burnout; Posttraumatic growth; Resilience.