Beyond the screen: a social cognitive theory perspective on gender, online gaming, and social well-being in Jordan

Dec 24, 2025Italian journal of pediatrics

How Gender Relates to Online Gaming and Social Well-Being in Jordan from a Social Thinking Perspective

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Abstract

52.9% of adolescents in Jordan are at risk for or have (IGD).

Males spend more time gaming and prefer competitive games, while females tend to favor fashion and dress games.
Daily gaming hours, viewing gaming as harmful, and having poor social relationships are key predictors of higher IGD scores.
Higher IGD scores are associated with increased exposure to social bullying.
Gender did not significantly predict IGD or social bullying in the final analysis.

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BACKGROUND: The global expansion of online gaming raises worries about its impact on adolescent well-being, particularly regarding (IGD) and its association with social health and bullying. This study addresses a research gap in the Middle East by exploring gender-specific trends in gaming habits, social perceptions, and the prevalence of IGD among adolescents in Jordan. Utilizing the (SCT), the study aimed to identify predictors of IGD and exposure to social bullying.

METHODS: 403 adolescents (aged 10-17) were selected from the northern Jordan in this cross-sectional, survey-based study. Participants responded to the Arabic version of the IGD-20 scale, in addition to items about their gaming habits, social perceptions, and exposure to social bullying. Furthermore, was used to measure IGD. Linear regression models were employed to identify factors predicting IGD scores and exposure to social bullying.

RESULTS: 52.9% of the participants were at risk for or had IGD. Significant gender differences were found, with males spending more time gaming (p = 0.012) and preferring competitive games, while females favored "Fashion/dress" games. Key predictors of higher IGD scores were daily gaming hours, a perception of gaming as harmful, and poor social relationships. A higher IGD score also predicted increased exposure to social bullying. Crucially, gender did not significantly predict IGD or social bullying in the final models.

CONCLUSION: Our findings, guided by SCT, suggest that gaming habits are often gender-specific, however, the core risk factors for IGD are not. Developing IGD is more closely tied to excessive gaming, poor social relationships, and exposure to bullying. So, effective measures should promote healthy gaming habits and foster strong social support systems for all adolescents, rather than exclusively targeting a specific gender. No Patient or Public Contribution.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Key numbers

52.9%

Prevalence of

Proportion of adolescents at risk for or having .

3.4 hours

Daily gaming hours by gender

Average daily gaming hours for males.

2.8 hours

Daily gaming hours by gender

Average daily gaming hours for females.

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Beyond the screen: a social cognitive theory perspective on gender, online gaming, and social well-being in Jordan

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