Negative Core Beliefs and Internet Gaming Addiction Symptoms among Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation

Abstract Gaming activities have become one of the most used leisure time activities for scholars, providing both easy access and an entertaining coping mechanism for stressful experiences for adolescents. As gaming becomes more popular, the deep understanding of extended mechanisms of gaming addiction becomes pivotal in successful intervention and prevention programs. This study examined the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation variables in the relationship between the negative core beliefs about the self and negative core beliefs about others with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) symptoms. A sample of 1277 student participants (M age = 14.74, 56% males) completed a survey done in schools measuring the negative core beliefs, the difficulties in emotion regulation and the IGD symptoms. Parallel mediation analysis revealed that difficulties in emotion regulation subscales explained a significant portion of the relationship between negative core beliefs about the self and negative core beliefs about others with IGD symptoms. Gender and time spent with parents have been used as covariates. More time spent with parents is associated with less gaming disorder symptoms. Male gender is associated to increased gaming behavior. The results support the cognitive theory model, connecting negative thoughts, dysregulated emotions and behavioral response. Clinical implications of the results are discussed.