Maladaptive cognitions, loneliness, and social anxiety as potential moderators of the association between Internet gaming time and Internet gaming disorder among adolescent Internet gamers in China

Jan 29, 2022Addictive behaviors

How Negative Thoughts, Loneliness, and Social Anxiety May Affect the Link Between Gaming Time and Gaming Disorder in Chinese Teens

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Abstract

The prevalence of probable Internet gaming disorder among adolescent gamers in China is 17.7%.

Internet gaming time is associated with an increased risk of probable Internet gaming disorder.
Maladaptive cognitions related to Internet gaming, such as perceived overvaluation of rewards and perceived urges, are independent risk factors for probable Internet gaming disorder.
Loneliness and social anxiety are also associated with an increased risk of probable Internet gaming disorder.
Higher levels of perceived urges and loneliness may strengthen the relationship between Internet gaming time and probable Internet gaming disorder.
Reducing levels of specific cognitive and psychosocial factors could potentially lower the risk of developing Internet gaming disorder.

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The significance of Internet gaming time's dosage effect on Internet gaming disorder (IGD) may depend on gamers' characteristics. Majority of the gamers with extensive gaming time do not develop IGD. This study investigated moderation effects of cognitive/psychosocial factors on the association between Internet gaming time and probable IGD among adolescent Internet gamers in China. The cross-sectional, self-administered, and anonymous survey was conducted from October to December of 2018 among seven conveniently selected secondary school students in Chengdu and Guangzhou, China. Probable IGD was measured by using the DSM-5 checklist. The cognitive/psychosocial moderators were assessed by using validated instruments. Of the 2,503 students who had played Internet games (past 12 months), the prevalence of probable IGD was 17.7%. Internet gaming time [adjusted odds ratio (ORa) = 1.06], the three maladaptive cognitions specific to Internet gaming (perceived overvaluation of rewards, perceived urges, and perceived unwillingness to stop playing) (ORa = 1.17 to 1.44), and the two types of psychosocial factors (loneliness and social anxiety) (ORa = 1.09 to 1.13) were independent risk factors of probable IGD. Moderation analyses showed that overall maladaptive cognitions, perceived urges, and loneliness (but not the other two types of cognitions and social anxiety) were significant moderators of the association between Internet gaming time and probable IGD. The dose-effect relationship of Internet gaming time on probable IGD was significantly and slightly stronger among those with higher levels of perceived urges and loneliness. Interventions to reduce the levels of such moderators may reduce probable IGD directly and buffer the dosage effect among adolescents.

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Maladaptive cognitions, loneliness, and social anxiety as potential moderators of the association between Internet gaming time and Internet gaming disorder among adolescent Internet gamers in China

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