Internet Game Addiction, Parental Attachment, and Parenting of Adolescents in South Korea

Abstract

The adolescent-parent relationship is a major factor influencing juvenile delinquency, and Internet gaming addiction may exacerbate any conflict in that relationship. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships among Internet game addiction, parental attachment, and parental attitude toward the rearing of adolescents in South Korea. The initial selected convenience sample comprised 624 middle school and high school students. Self-reported measures of an Internet Game Addiction Scale, Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment–Revised version, and the modified Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire were analyzed. A significant relationship was found between Internet game addiction and both parental attachment and the adolescents’ perception of parenting of adolescents. Those helping adolescents with an Internet game addiction should consider not only the adolescents’ Internet game usage pattern but also their relationship with their parents.