Impact of Family Support and Perception of Loneliness on Game Addiction Analysis of a Mediation and Moderation

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the psychological constructs of loneliness and family support on game addiction among children, who are a major risk group for game addiction. The study explores: a) the effect of the secondary-school students' perception of family support on game addiction; b) the mediation effect of the feeling of loneliness experienced by children in the effect of family support on game addiction; and c) the moderating effect of gender on the mediation model. The study group is composed of 575 students studying in a secondary school in the city of Ankara. For the analysis of the data, the study employed factorial and structure validity analyses, a reliability analysis, a structural equation model, and mediator and moderator variable analyses. The study concluded that although family support had a significant effect on game addiction, a major part of such effect resulted from the individual's perception of loneliness, which was more evident among the female students.

The role of game genres and gamers’ communication networks in perceived learning

“…depression, anxiety, stress) or mental health (Frölich et al, 2016;Lee and Morgan, 2018;Oskenbay et al, 2016). Some studies found that self-control or parents' support are key mediators/moderators to prevent game addiction or gaming disorder (Şahin et al, 2019;Soh et al, 2018;Zhu et al, 2015). Further research into all aspects of gaming would provide meaningful information to assist parents, schools, policymakers, and government health agencies in creating guidelines that promote prosocial gaming while allowing for intervention when gaming has become a negative issue for a particular group.…”

Digital risks and adolescents: The relationships between digital game addiction, emotional eating, and aggression

“…Studies report that playing video games causes psychosocial problems, including loneliness (Şahin et al . 2019), dissatisfaction with life (Bargeron & Hormes 2017) depression (Andreassen et al . 2016), emotional eating (Kafali et al .…”

Disordered gaming, loneliness, and family harmony in gamers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Disordered gaming has been linked to loneliness (Montag, Schivinski, et al, 2021; Zeliha, 2019 ), depression ( King et al, 2019 ; Montag, Schivinski, et al, 2021), health anxiety ( Elhai et al, 2021 ), eating disorders ( Micallef et al, 2021 ), as well as other digital technology based problematic behaviors ( Rozgonjuk et al, 2021 ). Importantly, at a family level, disordered gaming has been linked to poorer family relationships ( Şahin et al, 2019 ) and less harmony in the family ( Ekşi et al, 2020 ). Relatedly, a recent study demonstrated that family support decreases loneliness which, in turn, reduces disordered gaming ( Şahin et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Importantly, at a family level, disordered gaming has been linked to poorer family relationships ( Şahin et al, 2019 ) and less harmony in the family ( Ekşi et al, 2020 ). Relatedly, a recent study demonstrated that family support decreases loneliness which, in turn, reduces disordered gaming ( Şahin et al, 2019 ).…”