Abstract
In the present cyber age, Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and risky online behaviour are prevalent, and adolescents are especially vulnerable to such emergent problems. Few studies have explored the protective factors that mitigate harm caused by IGD and various common risky online behaviours. This study examined the prevalence of IGD and risky online behaviour, their hypothesised associations with depressive symptoms, and the beneficial role of psychological resilience as an underlying psychological mechanism. The participants included 1,099 Chinese junior secondary school students (33% boys, mean age = 13.5 years, age range = 10–17 years) who completed a battery of validated self-report questionnaires at their schools. The results revealed that 4% of the participants were at high risk of IGD and 6% were at an overall risk level of IGD. Depressive symptoms were positively associated with IGD and risky online behaviour, and psychological resilience mediated both of these associations. These results imply that clinicians and teachers should incorporate psychological resilience training into intervention approaches to mitigate IGD and risky online behaviour.
Highlights
BackgroundDigital technologies are widespread in many aspects of contemporary life, resulting in abundant new forms of social interaction in the cyberspace
4% of the participants were at high risk of Internet gaming disorder (IGD), 6% were at an overall risk level, and 90% were classified as average gamers
An inverse association was identified between psychological resilience and IGD among Chinese adolescents
Summary
BackgroundDigital technologies are widespread in many aspects of contemporary life, resulting in abundant new forms of social interaction in the cyberspace. Research on the mental health problems associated with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has grown over the last decade. Adolescents are susceptible to a range of mental health problems associated with prolonged Internet gaming [1,2,3], including depression, social anxiety, and loneliness [4,5,6]. Psychological resilience may serve as an essential element to mitigate these psychological risks and challenges during puberty. To address these timely but unexplored issues, this study investigated how psychological resilience would mediate the association of depressive symptoms with both IGD and risky online behaviour. The findings advance the understanding of emergent issues that enable the development of preventive strategies for IGD and risky online behaviour in adolescents
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