The Adverse Effect of Gaming Disorder on the Family System in the Society

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Internet has been a part of life and the development of technology. Internet addiction is one of the problems among adolescents, especially in Indonesia. Family dysfunction is thought to be a factor causing Internet addiction in adolescents. Family cannot always supervise adolescents, and adolescents are required to have good self-control to avoid problematic gaming behavior and online game addiction. If not taken seriously, game addiction can interfere with the physical and mental health of adolescents. AIM: This study aimed to identify the relationship between family functioning and Internet gaming disorder among adolescents in Aceh. Currently, Aceh is the only province in Indonesia implementing sharia (the Islamic law). METHODS: This was a quantitative study with a descriptive correlational method. The samples of this study were 157 male senior high school students. This research was conducted from January to April 2021. Data were collected by a self-report questionnaire and analyzed using the logistic analysis to identify the correlation between family functioning and Internet gaming disorder. RESULTS: The results showed that family functions such as communication functions (p = 0.034), affective engagement (p = 0.006), and behavioral control (p = 0.000) were significantly related to Internet gaming disorders in adolescents. This assumption is evidenced by the results of statistical tests that show a value (<0.05). While the problem-solving function (p = 0.916) and the general function (p = 0.606) obtained a significant value (>0.05) so it can be concluded both of these family functions were not related to Internet gaming disorder. CONCLUSION: The family functions are significantly related to Internet gaming disorders in adolescents. Maximizing family functions is one solution to prevent Internet gaming disorders in adolescents.