Children in the digital world: exploring the role of parental–child attachment features in excessive online gaming

Abstract

Purpose The marketing of immersive and competitive online gaming products has proliferated in recent times. Consumption has also shown a substantial increase, especially among children. Such elevated levels of gaming have adversely affected children’s overall well-being. This paper aims to examine the role of parental attachment variables in enhancing children’s self-control behavior in counteracting the adverse effects of excessive gaming. The role of gender in excessive gaming is also studied. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual framework is tested that examines the direct relationship of features of parental attachment with excessive online gaming behavior and an indirect effect through the mediation of a child’s self-control construct using structural equation modeling. Findings The findings indicate that parental attachment through self-control can play a significant role in limiting excessive gaming behavior among vulnerable young gamers. Excessive gaming behavior was more pronounced for boys than girls. Alienation explained excessive gaming behavior among girls, while communication was significant for boys, but in a reversed direction. Research limitations/implications All possible antecedent variables from the literature, like parental rearing style, that may further contribute to developing a comprehensive theoretical framework could not be studied. Practical implications The study suggests that the priming of children achieved through parental attachment relationships may help prevent excessive gaming behavior among vulnerable young gamers. Originality/value This study addresses the gap in the understanding of parental attachment features related to excessive gaming among different genders. It also establishes the role of the intervening mechanism of a child’s self-control in regulating behavior in relation to excessive gaming in the Indian context.

The Impact of Parental and Peer Attachment on Gaming Addiction among Out-of-School Adolescents in South Korea: The Mediating Role of Social Stigma

“…Parental attachment did not directly influence gaming addiction. Some studies have shown that parental attachment did not directly affect gaming addiction [41][42][43], whereas other studies indicated that parental attachment negatively affected gaming addiction [26,36,37]. The current study's findings confirmed the assumption of modified labeling theory and the results of previous studies suggesting that parental attachment only indirectly affects gaming addiction through the mediating variable of social stigma.…”

“…For example, Throuvala et al [42] showed that parental rejection did not directly affect internet gaming disorder and was related to internet gaming disorder only through the mediating effects of core self-evaluation. Similar results were presented by Malik et al [41], who showed that parental attachment did not directly affect gaming addiction, but did indirectly affect it through self-control. Using a cross-lagged panel model, Teng et al [43] examined the relationships between parent-adolescent attachment and internet gaming disorder.…”

“…On the other hand, some researchers have reported that parental attachment does not directly affect gaming addiction [41][42][43][44]. For example, Throuvala et al [42] showed that parental rejection did not directly affect internet gaming disorder and was related to internet gaming disorder only through the mediating effects of core self-evaluation.…”

Resilience, vulnerability and personality effects on social commerce intentions: the COVID-19 era

“…Although vulnerability in young consumers concentrated research attention regarding excessive online gaming and internet use, there is limited knowledge about the role of vulnerability on social commerce behavior during the pandemic (Malik et al, 2020). Drawing on the definition proposed by Baker et al (2005), wherein consumer vulnerability arises from the interaction of personal states, characteristics and external conditions within j YOUNG CONSUMERS j a given context; it seems worthwhile to explore consumer vulnerability within the COVID-19 setting through the lens of SCT.…”

Role of Parent-Child Relationship in Coping Styles of Emerging Adults

“…It is also found that a satisfactory parental communication with adolescents is significant factor that prevents delinquency in adolescents (Moitra & Mukherjee, 2012). Literature shows the significant role of parental attachment through adolescent's selfcontrol in preventing vulnerable young players from engaging in excessive gaming behaviour (Malik, Nanda, & Kumra, 2020). Greenberger, and McLaughlin (1998) reported that perceived early secure attachment were positively related to support seeking and active problem solving among late adolescents.…”