Poor Family-Functioning and Lack of Interpersonal Support as Predictors of Online Gaming Addiction in Adolescents

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate predictors of online gaming addiction in adolescents. To explore the gender differences across the study variables was another objective of the present study. It was hypothesized that poor family functioning and lack of interpersonal support would lead to online gaming addiction in adolescents. Further, the study investigated poor family functioning and perceived lack of interpersonal support as predictors of online gaming addiction in adolescents. For this purpose, a correlational study with a cross-sectional research design was used. The sample was collected from 115 participants (age= M= 17.10, SD= 1.66), boys (f=69, 60%), girls (f=46, 40%), using nonprobability, purposive and convenient sampling technique. The measures used in the study were Game Addiction Scale (Lemmens et al., 2009), Family APGAR Questionnaire (Smilkstein, 1978) and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (Cohen et al., 1985). Results of the study showed that family functioning (r= -.25**, p< 0.01) and interpersonal support (r= -.09*, p< 0.05) were negatively related to online gaming. Moreover, poor family functioning and lack of perceived social support predicted online gaming addiction in adolescents. Conversely, no gender differences across study variables were revealed for present sample.