Longitudinal associations between loneliness and online game addiction among undergraduates

A moderated mediation model

Bibliographic Data

ID21282548
AuthorsBin Gao (0009-0001-6001-7790, Shanghai Normal University), Yanxiyu Cai (Shanghai Normal University), Chong Zhao (0000-0002-2356-5528, Shanghai Normal University, corresponding author), Yuqing Qian (0009-0004-7460-4947, Shanghai Normal University), Runting Zheng (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences), Cong Liu (0000-0001-8459-2637, Minzu University of China)
Year2024
Volume243
Pages104134
Publication date2024-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueActa Psychologica (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0001-6918 • E-ISSN: 1873-6297
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104134
PMID38228073
OpenAlexW4390956466
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited63

Online gaming addiction (OGA) has become a noteworthy public concern, especially among university students, thereby requiring in-depth scrutiny. Although previous cross-sectional studies have established a positive link between loneliness and OGA, there is a lack of longitudinal evidence within this field. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms that elucidate the connection between loneliness and OGA are still poorly understood, underscoring a crucial research gap that requires further investigation. Our study utilized a longitudinal approach and developed a moderated mediation model. From September 2021 to September 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, data were collected from a sample of Chinese undergraduate students, with 367 participants at T1, 352 at T2, and 340 at T3. Participants completed online self-report surveys, providing valuable data on their levels of loneliness at T1, fear of missing out (FoMO) at T2, sensation seeking at T2, and OGA at T3. Our findings found that loneliness was positively linked to OGA. Further analysis demonstrated that FoMO partially mediated the link between loneliness and OGA. Meanwhile, sensation seeking moderated the pathway from FoMO to later OGA. Specifically, the effect of FoMO on OGA was significant for college students with high sensation seeking. This study offers longitudinal evidence linking loneliness and OGA, which has implications for the development of interventions to reduce OGA

Addiction · Developmental psychology · Loneliness · Longitudinal study · Mediation · Moderated mediation · Personality · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Sensation Seeking · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Media Influence and Health · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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