UNDERSTANDING ADOLESCENT GAMING ADDICTION: PREDICTORS, INFLUENCES, AND CONSEQUENCES

Abstract

Adolescents engaging in online gaming activities as part of leisure activities has become a trend and normal practice. The rapidly growing number of adolescents engaging in problematic gaming behaviour triggered significant attention to the psychosocial, familial, and psychological effects of these behaviours. Understanding the complex nature of gaming addiction is crucial to altering interventions and preventative strategies that help adolescents deal with internet gaming addiction behaviours. Therefore, the systematic literature review (SLR), conducted using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework, included 21 peer-reviewed articles to identify the psychological predictors and psychosocial predictors and examine the role with regard to both factors in the gaming addiction development among adolescents; to explore the social influences, such as social norms, peer influences, and family dynamics, on adolescent gaming behaviour; and to understand the role of emotional regulation and psychological well-being in adolescent gaming behaviours. Research showed that sensation seeking, social anxiety, internalizing symptoms, as well as low self-esteem are significant predictors of problematic gaming among adolescents. Personality traits and the early onset of gaming activities also influence the development of internet gaming disorders. Peer pressure, peers’ gaming habits, social norms, and the social context significantly influenced adolescents' gaming habits. The involvement of parents and family dynamics plays a crucial role in effective interventions for gaming addiction behaviours. Studies also highlighted that adolescents’ emotional regulation difficulties are strongly associated with problematic gaming behaviours. Moreover, the long-term effects of gaming addiction behaviours include lower self-esteem, life satisfaction, and social support. A comprehensive and thorough intervention addressing psychosocial predictors, social influence, peers, emotional regulations, family roles, and family dynamics can improve the effectiveness of prevention and intervention measures for adolescents with problematic gaming. This SLR offers a thorough review of current research on internet gaming addiction with the aim of assisting educators, counsellors, and clinicians in managing adolescents’ gaming addiction.