PhD defence
Adolescence in the Digital Age: Understanding Maladaptive Online Engagement Through the Lens of Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Q. Cong
- Date
- Tuesday 29 September 2026
- Time
- Location
-
Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden
Supervisor(s)
- dr. M. van Geel
- Prof.dr. P.H. Vedder
Summary
Digital media are an important part of adolescents’ daily lives, but for some young people, online engagement can become maladaptive. This dissertation examined whether adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or serious problems within the family, make adolescents more vulnerable to problematic social media use, online gaming, cyberbullying, and online trolling.
The research combined a large-scale meta-analysis of previous studies with three longitudinal studies that followed Chinese adolescents over time. Where possible, both adolescents and their parents reported on adolescents’ online behaviour.
The findings show that adverse childhood experiences are linked to several forms of problematic digital use. Adolescents who had experienced more childhood adversity were more likely to report later problematic social media use and problematic online gaming. However, the expected longitudinal links with cyberbullying and online trolling were not found.
These findings are important because they show that different online problems do not necessarily develop in the same way. They also suggest that maladaptive digital use should not be viewed only as a matter of screen time or self-control. Prevention and support may be more effective when they also consider adolescents’ earlier life experiences, emotional needs, and their own perspectives.
PhD dissertations
Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.
Press enquiries (journalists only)
+31 (0)71 527 1521
nieuws@leidenuniv.nl
General information
Beadle's Office
pedel@bb.leidenuniv.nl
+31 71 527 7211