Network dynamics of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and suicidal symptoms in Chinese adolescents: a longitudinal cross-sectional and cross-lagged panel network analysis

Central symptoms evolved during recovery, with subjective anxiety initially dominant but somatic symptoms becoming central over time. The early post-treatment period showed heightened symptom network activity, with sleep disturbances identified as robust predictors of subsequent affective deterioration. Findings support dynamic, network-informed interventions targeting evolving symptom centrality and predictive pathways, particularly addressing sleep-related symptoms and suicide risk during critical recovery phases.