Coping, Resilience, and Perceived Stress in Individuals with Internet Gaming Disorder in Taiwan

Abstract

Aim: Gaming escapism is an essential factor for developing internet gaming disorder (IGD). We evaluated coping strategies, resilience, stress, and depression in individuals with IGD. Methods: We included 69 participants with IGD and 138 controls (69 regular gamers and other non-gamers) in Taiwan. The self-reported coping strategies, coping stress with gaming, resilience, perceived stress, and depression were assessed. Results: Participants with IGD had higher dysfunctional coping, coping stress by gaming, perceived stress, and depression, as well as lower problem-focused coping and resilience. Regression analysis revealed that coping by gaming was associated with dysfunctional coping mechanisms, particularly venting and self-distraction. Compared with participants with adequate resilience, those with lower resilience had higher perceived stress, depression, and coping by gaming, and lower problem-focused and emotion-focused coping. Dysfunctional coping and coping by gaming were associated with perceived stress and depression in both IGD and control groups. Problem-focused coping was negatively associated with perceived stress and depression in controls. Conclusion: Individuals with IGD had higher perceived stress and depression, as they were more likely to cope with stress by dysfunctional coping and gaming and less likely to try problem-focused coping, particularly those with lower resilience. Interventions for IGD should promote problem-focused coping, such as active coping and planning strategies, particularly among those with lower resilience.

Relationship between Medical Students’ Perceived Stress and Gaming Behavior at King Saud University

“…Certain people are predisposed to acquiring GD due to their inability to control their gaming behaviors as a form of enjoyment. Individuals with GD account for 0.21-57.5% of the overall population [ 6 ]. For the first time, GD was included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Association between urbanization and Internet addiction

“…Another study observed that exposure to noise pollution, light pollution, and air pollution; poor-quality housing; a poor-quality diet; physical inactivity; and economic strain contributed to depression in urban areas [21]. Both depression and stress are associated with the risk of developing Internet addiction or gaming disorder [22,23]. Thus, psychological distress and depression potentially mediate the association between urbanization and Internet addiction [15 ▪▪ ].…”

Internet Gaming Disorder, Risky Online Behaviour, and Mental Health in Hong Kong Adolescents: The Beneficial Role of Psychological Resilience

“…Psychological resilience comprises three major protective mechanisms pertaining to individual capacities (e.g., personal skills, social skills), interpersonal relations (e.g., peer support, physical and psychological caregiving), and the availability of community resources and opportunities (e.g., spirituality, culture, education), respectively (25,26). These protective mechanisms strengthen a person's ability to handle an array of environmental and personal problems, such as daily stressors and interpersonal conflict (27).…”