Internet Gaming Research Articles

Assessment of Hazardous Gaming in children and its dissimilarities and overlaps with Internet Gaming Disorder.

Children have been vastly overlooked in Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and Hazardous Gaming research so far. The diagnoses are listed in different ICD-11 chapters (addiction vs. problematic health condition) and are thus considered as distinct constructs. However, screening tools for children do not exist yet. We aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of an existing IGD screening tool modified to also assess Hazardous Gaming in children. Further, we aimed to compare the dissimilarity and overlap between (subclinical) IGD and Hazardous Gaming in children. The study analyzed data from a mixed school and clinical sample. Data from N = 871 children aged between 8 and 12 years of age (M = 10.3, SD = 0.90) were analyzed. Data were collected via the Video Game Dependency Scale (CSAS) in its parent report version, which was adapted to assess Hazardous Gaming symptoms in addition to the IGD symptoms. Item analyses and reliability and factor analyses were conducted on the Hazardous Gaming version. The results show that the adapted CSAS version that assesses Hazardous Gaming symptoms in children mostly shows acceptable psychometric properties. Explorative Factor Analysis (EFA) shows a two-factor structure with one factor of higher order. Additionally, results show that 35.2% of all children meeting the threshold for Hazardous Gaming exclusively meet criteria for Hazardous Gaming but not for (subclinical) IGD. Vice versa, 91.3% of children with IGD also meet the criteria for Hazardous Gaming. Hazardous Gaming and (subclinical) IGD are distinct constructs with some overlaps and might have a temporal relation. We recommend adding four items to assess Hazardous Gaming using the CSAS and further evaluate the validity. The assessment of Hazardous Gaming in children is crucial because it might occur earlier than subclinical or full-syndrome IGD.

Interaction effects between smoking and internet gaming disorder on resting-state functional connectivity of the ventral tegmental area and hippocampus.

Many reports have focused on cigarette smoking and internet gaming disorder (IGD), with widespread alterations of resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in the reward and memory circuits, respectively. Epidemiological studies have also shown high comorbidity of cigarette smoking and IGD. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Therefore, this study investigates the comorbidity and interaction effects between smoking and IGD from the rsFC perspective. Resting-state functional magnetic imaging data were collected from 60 healthy controls (HC), 46 smokers, 38 IGD individuals, and 34 IGD comorbid with smoking (IGDsm) participants. Voxel-wise rsFC maps were calculated for all subjects with the ventral tegmental area, rostral hippocampus, and caudal hippocampus as regions of interest, respectively. Significant interaction effects between smoking and IGD were mainly involved in the reward and memory circuits; that is, the rsFC between the ventral tegmental area and right nucleus accumbens, between the rostral hippocampus and bilateral nucleus accumbens, sensorimotor areas, and left middle temporal gyrus. Specifically, in these circuits, smokers showed decreased rsFC compared to the HC group, while IGDsm showed increased rsFC compared to smokers and IGD individuals. The IGDsm and HC groups showed no significant difference. The altered rsFC also correlated with clinical measures. These findings indicate that lower rsFC in smokers or IGD individuals increases under the effect of another type of addiction, such as smoking and IGD, but only increases to the normal state, which might explain the comorbidity and interaction between smoking and IGD from the perspective of functional circuits.

INTERNET GAMING DISORDER AMONG INDONESIAN MUSLIM UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Internet Gaming Disorder Scale was originally developed to measure Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) based on the nine criteria proposed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. (DSM-5). Until recently, there is no result of prevalence of internet gaming disorder among Indonesian Muslim undergraduate students. The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder among Indonesian Muslim undergraduate students and to explore what are the factors that cause and have effects of IGD in Indonesian Muslim undergraduate students. A case study approach was utilized to gain insight into the experience of six Muslim undergraduate students in Batusangkar city. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, and analyzed through coding, categorization, and identification of key data concepts. The findings indicate that the intensity of several game use can influence the prevalence of internet gaming disorder among Muslim undergraduate students. Disrupted conduct, social withdrawal, aggression and poor academic performance are among the many problems that results from excessive gaming use. This research contributes to ongoing discussions about internet gaming disorder and its impact on students’ both psychological and physical wellbeing or health in the field of Islamic education.

INTERNET GAMING DISORDER AND PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE: THE LINKS BETWEEN CYBERBULLYING, AGGRESSION, LONELINESS AND PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITIES.

To compare adolescents clinically diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and problematic internet use (PIU) in terms of cyberbullying, aggression, and loneliness. Male adolescent patients (N=124, 14.3±1.7 years) with Internet Addiction Scale (IAS) scores ≥50 were clinically interviewed for IGD in utilizing DSM-5 criteria. Patients without full IGD criteria were included as PIU comparisons. Clinical variables were assessed using the second version of the Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory, short-form of the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire, Child Depression Inventory, and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders. Compared to individuals with PIU, those with IGD were significantly more likely to have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, higher social phobia scores, higher cyberbullying scores, higher loneliness scores, been a cyberbully, and been a cyberbully victim. Male adolescents with IGD have higher rates of psychiatric comorbidity, perceived loneliness, cyberbullying, and being a victim of cyberbullying than those with PIU. Future studies could evaluate these predictors of transition from PIU to IGD in large cohort samples.

Unravelling the intricacies between gaming motivations and internet gaming disorder symptoms in adolescents: a network analysis of 2-year healthy and deteriorating transition profiles

BackgroundThe increasing prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD) among adolescents has become a global concern, while gaming plays a large role in many adolescents’ lives. While prior research emphasised the significance of investigating IGD through an etiological lens, the interconnections between diverse gaming motivations and IGD symptoms in adolescents remain inadequately understood. This study explored the associations between distinct gaming motivations and IGD symptoms by conducting network analysis in adolescents.MethodsData from a two-year longitudinal school-based survey (N = 2148) was utilized. LPA was used to offer a straightforward and interpretable solution for identifying adolescents with two-year healthy and deteriorating transitions of IGD profiles. Subsequently, we conducted a network analysis to explore and compare the associations between gaming motivations and IGD symptoms in adolescents with two-year healthy transition profiles and deteriorating transition profiles.ResultsThree profiles were delineated: ‘low IGD’ (T1: n = 808, 37.62%; T2: n = 731; 34.03%), ‘middle IGD’ (T1: n = 1063, 49.49%; T2: n = 1103, 51.35%), and ‘severe IGD’ (T1: n = 277, 12.89%; T2: n = 314, 14.62%), classifying adolescents with healthy transitions and those with deteriorating transitions. Three gaming motivations (i.e., ‘Daily entertainment’, ‘I am good at it’, and ‘Improvement of ability and mindset’) were identified as protective motivations. Two others, ‘Enjoy being in the gaming world’ and ‘Preoccupation’, were identified as bridge nodes in adolescents with deteriorating transitions. Three core nodes (i.e., ‘Sense of victory’, ‘Enjoy being in the gaming world’, and ‘Sense of achievement’) were identified in both adolescents with healthy profile transitions and deteriorating transitions.ConclusionFindings suggest that not all gaming motivations contribute to the development of IGD in adolescents. Adolescents with deteriorating transitions showed specific gaming motivation and IGD symptom that is closely connected. Future interventions should consider corresponding gaming motivation when addressing IGD among adolescents.

Relapse prevention therapy for internet gaming disorder in Swedish child and adolescent psychiatric clinics: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of relapse prevention (RP) as a treatment for internet gaming disorder (IGD).DesignRandomized controlled trial.SettingThree child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) units in Region Skåne, Sweden.ParticipantsChildren aged 13–18 years, coming for their first visit to CAP during 2022, were screened for gaming behavior. Those who met the proposed DSM-5 criteria for IGD were offered participation in the trial, if they had the capacity to provide written informed consent and if they spoke Swedish. A total of 111 CAP patients agreed to participate. Out of those, 11 patients were excluded due to incorrect inclusion such as young age (n = 1), or due to the absence of responses to follow-up measures (n = 9). After exclusion, 102 participants remained (intervention = 47, control = 55).InterventionsThe intervention, RP, is based on cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) and was provided individually, comprising of five to seven 45-min sessions over a period of 5 to 7 weeks versus treatment as usual.Outcome measuresParticipants were assessed with Game Addiction Scale for Adolescents pre-treatment (GASA) (baseline), post-treatment (treatment group only), and 3 months after baseline (follow-up).ResultsThe repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant interaction effect between treatment and time. Both the control group and treatment group lowered their mean GASA score from baseline to follow-up significantly, but the improvement was greater in the treatment group (mean difference in control group −5.1, p < 0.001, 95% CI = − 3.390 to −6.755, mean difference in treatment group −9.9, p < 0.001, 95% CI = −11.746 to −8.105).ConclusionRP was found to be superior to treatment as usual in terms of reduction of IGD symptoms. Future research should address which aspects within a given treatment are effective, who benefits from treatment, in what aspects, and why.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05506384 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05506384.

Children and adolescent's self-reported gaming habits – An exploratory, cross-sectional study of gaming among 9–15-year-old school children

BackgroundGaming is one of the most common leisure activities among children and adolescents: virtually every child in Sweden plays some form of internet games. However, concerns have been raised regarding the risk of developing psychiatric disorders such as internet gaming disorder. A significant amount of research has been focused on evaluating hours spent gaming and the negative effect the activity has on children's lives, but few studies have focused on children's self-evaluation of their gaming and their perception of good and bad gaming habits. AimsThe first aim of this exploratory study was to describe children's and adolescents’ self-evaluation of their gaming habits. Secondly, we investigated how children and adolescents perceive their parents’ involvement in gaming, and whether this has any effect on their own, self-reported gaming habits. MethodsChildren and adolescents aged 9–15 (N = 541) attending public schools in Malmö, Sweden completed a digital survey. The data were collected between October 26 and December 3, 2021. ResultsTwo variables emerged as significant predictors of wanting help with reducing gaming: younger age and classification as an excessive gamer. Four variables emerged as significant predictors of wanting to game more: being a girl; being classified as an immediate gamer; having ever had arguments with their parents about gaming; and rating gaming as a highly valued activity. ConclusionOur findings contribute to the understanding of what factors influence children's and adolescents’ desire to either increase their time spent gaming or their willingness to get help regarding gaming behaviors. Overall, our findings may be used to guide further, more in-depth research in this domain.

Association of internet gaming disorder with impulsivity: role of risk preferences

BackgroundInternet gaming disorder (IGD) is a formal mental disorder leading to personal and social impairment. Although it shares similar physical and psychosocial effects to substance use disorder, the psychological mechanisms underlying IGD remain unclear, although several researches have made significant contributions to its understanding. This study aims to elucidate the correlation between IGD, impulsive personality and risk preference of medical college students in China, from a questionnaire-based investigation.MethodsBased on the cluster random sampling method, a questionnaire survey was conducted among medical college students in Northern Anhui, China from September 3 to October 27, 2020. The questionnaires included the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGD-20), Chinese revised of Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11), and risk appetite index (RPI). Perform independent sample t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis, and moderating effect analysis using SPSS 23.0. P < 0. 05 is considered statistically significant.Results624 participants completed the survey, including 257 males (41.19%) and 367 females (58.81%). All participants were between 18 and 24 years. We found that in IGD and its six different dimensions and RPI, males scored significantly higher than females. Additionally, our finding revealed there is statistical significance in IGD and impulsiveness between gaming group with game time greater than or equal to 4 h and non-gaming group. The IGD and its six different dimensions, among which all except for mood modification are positively correlated with impulsiveness and RPI. Mediating effects indicate that RPI plays a partial mediating role between motor impulsiveness and IGD.ConclusionThe findings shows that there is a certain relationship between impulsivity and RPI, as well as IGD and its dimensions. RPI may be a mediator between impulsivity and IGD, and men have higher IGD. The findings supported the compensatory hypothesis. These findings may contribute to further research and development of intervention and prevention measures for IGD.

Hikikomori (Severe Social Withdrawal) in Italian Adolescents: Clinical Features and Follow-Up.

Severe social withdrawal, including staying alone in one's bedroom, non-attendance at school or work, and minimal or absent social contacts, sometimes only through electronic devices, can be found in several psychiatric disorders, or in a 'primary' form, firstly defined in Japan as 'Hikikomori'. The distinction between primary and secondary forms is questionable, as it prevalently depends on the quality of psychiatric assessment. To date, few studies specifically explored Hikikomori in an adolescent population outside Japan. The aim of the present study is to describe clinical features of a consecutive group of 80 referred youth (13 to 18 years, 57 males) with social isolation, of which 40 were followed up on for 4-6 months, to characterize clinical features and outcome. All the participants presented psychiatric comorbid disorders, prevalently anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and autism spectrum disorder. Suicidality (ideation and behavior) was reported in 32.5% of the participants, and 20% of the participants attempted suicide. More than half of the participants exceeded the cut-off of the Internet Addiction Test, and 42.4% met the criteria for the Internet Gaming Disorder. At the follow-up appointment, an improvement of social withdrawal was reported in 75% of the sample; 67.5% of the participants significantly improved according to the CGI-improvement scale; and 55% of the participants had an improvement of functioning according to the C-GAS. Our findings suggest that Hikikomori is a transnosographic entity, with high rates of suicidality and Internet addiction, and that can it improve when it is timely diagnosed and treated.

Positive and Avoidance Outcome Expectancies as Mediators of the Relationship between Social Influence and Problematic Internet Gaming Behavior: Preliminary Findings

Positive and Avoidance Outcome Expectancies as Mediators of the Relationship between Social Influence and Problematic Internet Gaming Behavior: Preliminary Findings

Brain responses to positive and negative events in individuals with internet gaming disorder during real gaming.

This study sought to investigate brain responses to positive and negative events in individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD) during real gaming as a direct assessment of the neural features of IGD. This investigation reflects the neural deficits in individuals with IGD while playing games, providing direct and effective targets for prevention and treatment of IGD. Thirty subjects with IGD and fifty-two matched recreational game use (RGU) subjects were scanned while playing an online game. Abnormal brain activities during positive and negative events were detected using a general linear model. Functional connectivity (FC) and correlation analyses between neural features and addiction severity were conducted to provide additional support for the underlying neural features. Compared to the RGU subjects, the IGD subjects exhibited decreased activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during positive events and decreased activation in the middle frontal gyrus (MFG), precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus during negative events. Decreased FC between the DLPFC and putamen during positive events and between the MFG and amygdala during negative events were observed among the IGD subjects. Neural features and addiction severity were significantly correlated. Individuals with IGD exhibited deficits in regulating game craving, maladaptive habitual gaming behaviors and negative emotions when experiencing positive and negative events during real game-playing compared to RGU gamers. These abnormalities in neural substrates during real gaming provide direct evidence for explaining why individuals with IGD uncontrollably and continuously engage in game playing, despite negative consequences.

Lower synaptic density associated with gaming disorder: an 18F-SynVesT-1 PET imaging study

BackgroundInternet gaming disorder (IGD) is an ideal model to study the mechanisms underlying synaptic deficits in addiction as it eliminates the confounding effects of substance use. Synaptic loss and deficits...

2.64 Press Start: An Assessment of Internet Gaming Disorder in Children and Adolescents

2.64 Press Start: An Assessment of Internet Gaming Disorder in Children and Adolescents

ІНТЕРНЕТ-ЗАЛЕЖНІСТЬ ЯК АДИКЦІЯ СУЧАСНОЇ ЛЮДИНИ

The article is devoted to highlighting a number of issues of destructive Internet activities, in particular, Internet addiction as a psychosocial disorder, which prompts a modern person to escape from a frustrating reality in order to improve his psychological well-being with the help of Internet resources. The article presents an analysis of theoretical and applied researches of foreign and Ukrainian scientists and practitioners, which provides an opportunity to deeply understand this issue as extremely relevant for modern information societies. Definitions of the terms "Internet activity", "addiction", "Internet addiction", "addictive behavior" described in the professional literature were analyzed. The socio-psychological nature of Internet addiction is defined, attention is focused on the causes of the emergence and establishment of addictive behavior, as well as on neurophysiological, sociocultural and psychological mechanisms that "trigger" the destructive processes of addiction. It is shown that depending on the individual characteristics of the psyche and the nature of unsatisfied needs (which are not always realized), a modern person finds their substitutes in various types of surrogate activities, including Internet activities. The conditions under which Internet activity eventually becomes an almost full-fledged substitute for traditional social activity and even dependent on this activity are analyzed. Attention is focused on the symptoms of dependence on Internet activity (Internet addiction), in particular, such as loss of control over the time spent on the Internet, loss of control over the content of consumed content, loss of control over one's life in general. The social and psychological characteristics of active Internet users, which contribute to the excessive involvement of potential Internet addicts in the network, as well as signs of constructive and destructive Internet activity, are analyzed. A number of assumptions have been put forward regarding the possibilities of prevention and correction of Internet addiction and destructive, dependent behavior. The peculiarities and stages of inclusion (attraction) of potential Internet addicts to Internet networks and the dynamics of the growth of Internet addiction indicators among different segments of the population in conditions of stress caused by social and information crisis, in particular in conditions of war, are analyzed. It is shown how the crisis situation affects children, their behavior, their emotional state, their way of life and their involvement in Internet activities. It is demonstrated how the authors and developers of Internet content, Internet games, relevant services and applications, social networks, etc., stimulate interest, positive emotional experiences and activity among members of their target audiences, as well as how they attract new visitors to the network, acting for this various positive reinforcements in the form of "likes", bonuses, intrigues, reminders, bright images, incentives, etc. and thus encourage users to return to the network again and again.

HUBUNGAN KECANDUAN GAMES ONLINE TERHADAP PERKEMBANGAN PSIKOSOSIAL ANAK USIA SEKOLAH DASAR

Online games are online games that are played on computers, smartphones and other gaming devices. One of the users is school-aged children. Addiction to games in school children is characterized by playing outside the allotted time which has a negative impact on their psychosocial development. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between internet gaming and the psychosocial development of elementary school students. Descriptive correlation with a cross-sectional approach is used as a research method. In this study there were 65 respondents who were selected based on inclusion criteria using a stratified random sampling technique. The measuring tool used is a questionnaire that has been modified by the researcher. The results showed that most of the respondents were 11 years old (47.7%) and male (60.0%). The average time to play games is not more than 1-3 hours/day (67.7%), most of the respondents are identified as addicted to online games (67.7%) and have adequate psychosocial development (58.5%). Analysis using Fisher's exact test shows that p-value (0.00) &lt; α (0.05) means that there is a relationship between online games and the psychosocial development of school-age children. Parents and teachers are encouraged to work closely with the health care team to identify a child's play disorder that affects psychosocial development

청소년 게임이용문제와 주관적 행복감의 관계

Objectives Many studies have examined the relationship between problematic smartphone use and subjective well-being, but studies on the relationship between problematic internet gaming and subjective well-being are lacking. Therefore, this study selected problematic internet gaming, self-control, problematic smartphone use, and subjective well-being as the main factors, and examined the effects of problematic internet gaming on subjective well-being through self-control and problematic smartphone use in adolescents using a multiple-parallel mediation model. This study aims to broaden the understanding of adolescents' problematic internet gaming and to provide a basis for developing programs to resolve the dysfunctions caused by problematic internet gaming, organizing preventive education, and establishing counseling stradegies considering the level of problematic internet gaming.&#x0D; Methods The survey period was July 13-27, 2022. A questionnaire was distributed to 400 male and female middle, high school, and university students in Seoul to measure demographic variables and major variables such as problematic internet gaming, self-control, problematic smartphone use, and subjective well-being, and data were collected and analyzed using a multiple-parallel mediation model.&#x0D; Results Problematic internet gaming had a significant negative effect on self-control and a significant positive effect on problematic smartphone use. Furthermore, self-control had a significant positive effect on subjective well-being and problematic internet gaming and problematic smartphone use had a significant negative effect on subjective well-being. Finally, problematic internet gaming were statistically significant in the path leading to subjective well-being through self-control and problematic smartphone use, confirming the multiple-parallel mediation effect.&#x0D; Conclusions In order to increase adolescents’ subjective well-being, it is necessary to explore educational options that foster a sense of self-control. In addition, excessive smartphone use for gaming has a negative impact on subjective well-being, so it is necessary to provide a variety of alternative activities and ways to play instead of using a smartphone.

Pattern of Internet Use and Knowledge and Practices in School Children

Study background AACCI - Association of Adolescent and Child Care in India conducts multicentric youth behaviour studies in India. The results are shared with the school and intervention programs are held. This paper analyses the pattern of internet use knowledge and practices in school children Abbreviations AACCI - _Association of Adolescent and Child Care in India Methods Cross sectional study. All children studying in class 6th to 10th (n=377) age range 11-16 yrs. -coed, elite, english medium school in North Delhi. Due permissions from parents and assent from participants taken. Ethical clearance was given by AACCI ethics committee Results n= 377 – Boys 66% (249) , girls 34% (128) . Majority i.e. 86.20% (325)) used internet and 29.2% (95) used for more than two hours a day. The favourite activities in 37.23% (121) were Internet games. 80% (259) had personal facebook account ;63.32% (164) have more than 100 facebook friends. Safety precautions analysis showed -a) majority i.e. 95% (246) believed that it is not right to post embarrassing personal information about self or friends. b) 21% (62) had facebook friends- not met in real life. c) Only 81% (239) students discuss internet experience with their parents; d) 47% (122) were not aware that information uploaded by them is tracked and stored and can be used by companies to make profits. e) Only 69% (203) used privacy settings and had detailed knowledge about cyber bullying. Conclusions Majority are not taking basic precautions like using privacy settings on the facebook. Since 34% (100) do not inform parents about their online activities, they are vulnerable to exploitation on the net and can also be tempted to go on inappropriate sites. We conducted a workshop in this school for students, parents and teachers on cyber safety and monitoring teen internet use. This is the need of the hour

Dietary Habits and Gaming Behaviors of Portuguese and Brazilian Esports Players.

As the esports industry grows, marketing campaigns for fast food, soft drinks, alcoholic and energy drinks, and dietary supplements at related events intensify. Portuguese and Brazilian esports players' dietary patterns remain unexplored. This study aimed to characterize the dietary and gaming habits of esports players. We applied an anonymous, open online survey to a convenience sample of esports players that included the PREDIMED and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale. The survey was shared through email and social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Discord, WhatsApp, and Twitch. The sample (n = 579) was predominantly male (91.4%), averaged 26.1 (SD = 7.0) years, and 25.9 (SD = 5.5) kg/m2. Most reported a weak (53.7%) adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Almost a third (32.3%) consumed dietary supplements. Our sample presented a low adhesion to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, low consumption of fruit and vegetables, and high consumption of fast food, red and processed meat, soft drinks, and dietary supplements, including caffeine-based supplements. Dietary supplement consumption was related to a higher adhesion to the Mediterranean diet, and a higher level of professionalization and internet gaming disorder correlated with a lower adhesion. In conclusion, we infer that Portuguese and Brazilian esports players follow an unbalanced diet.

Mediating role of splitting in relation to attachment styles and shopping addiction.

Shopping can provide a sense of satisfaction and pleasure; however, if a person's excessive involvement in this behavior starts to negatively impact other aspects of their life, similar to other addictive behaviors like excessive internet use, gaming, and gambling, it may be classified as pathological. Given the lack of agreement regarding the classification of excessive shopping tendencies as a separate mental health condition or addictive behavior, taking a socio-emotional approach to explore the psychological factors that precede this behavior, may offer a better comprehension of it. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between attachment styles and excessive shopping behavior, as well as to investigate the potential mediating effect of defense mechanisms like splitting on this relationship. Using convenience sampling, a group of 457 stock market employees (116 female, 341 male) between the ages of 24 and 60 were recruited. The researchers utilized a set of validated psychological questionnaires to assess the employees attachment styles, shopping addiction, and splitting tendencies. The results obtained from both the mediation model and path analysis suggest that attachment styles do not have a direct relationship with shopping addiction. Nonetheless, the study supports the impact of insecure anxious and avoidan attachment styles on splitting. Furthermore, the findings confirm that splitting has a mediating effect on the relationship between attachment styles and splitting. The present study enhanced our comprehension of the subconscious mechanisms underlying shopping tendencies. Specifically, the findings suggest that excessive tendencies towards shopping can be considered a maladaptive response resulting from insecure attachment styles and the unconscious utilization of the splitting defense mechanism.

The independent impacts of perceived immediate and future benefits of internet gaming on internet gaming disorder among adolescent internet gamers in China: Mediation via internet gaming time

Perceived benefit of internet gaming was positively associated with gaming time and internet gaming disorder (IGD). Yet, most studies looked at the impact of perceived immediate but not future benefits. The key objectives of this study included the investigation of the independent associations between the overall scales/subscales (mental health, social relationship, and personal achievement) of perceived immediate/future benefits and IGD, and the mediations of such associations via gaming time. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adolescent internet gamers in Guangzhou and Chengdu, China from October 2019 to January 2020 (n = 1707). The prevalence of IGD was 16.9%. Only 18%–25% and 13%–20% perceived no and strong immediate/future benefits in the three aforementioned domains, respectively. Within individuals, the paired differences in the levels of perceived immediate versus future benefits were of small effect size. The overall scales and all six types of perceived immediate and future benefits were significantly associated with IGD. All (except two) such associations were partially/fully mediated by gaming time. Hence, the participants commonly perceived comparable immediate and future benefits, which may increase gaming time and then increase IGD. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings. Innovative interventions modifying perceived immediate/future benefits may reduce gaming time/IGD.