BACKGROUND
Internet gaming disorder (IGD) among university students has become a great concern of university counsellors worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 related social isolation was positively correlated with IGD. However, the impact pathway of self-control on IGD remain unclear.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to explore the associations among social isolation, self-control and IGD in Chinese university students and examine whether self-control mediates the positive effects of social isolation on IGD.
METHODS
A total of 479 students were recruited from six university located in three different regions of Shandong Province, China. The isolation subscale of the Self-Compassion Scale, the Self-Control Scale and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale were used to assess social isolation, self-control and internet gaming disorder among university students.
RESULTS
Social isolation was positively correlated with IGD (p < 0.05) and that self-control was negatively correlated with social isolation and IGD(each p < 0.05). Self-control played a mediating role in the association between social isolation and IGD (coeffect = -0.185, 95% CI = -0.295 - -0.087). Compared with male students, the effects of social isolation on IGD among female students were lower.
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlight the need to decrease students’ IGD during the pandemic, especially that of male students. Effective interventions that alleviate social isolation and enhance self-control should be developed.