Different types of maladaptive cognitions explain gender differences in adolescent internet gaming disorder and problematic social media use in China: A longitudinal mediation study

Little is known about whether specific types of maladaptive cognitions consistently relate to both internet gaming disorder (IGD) and problematic social media use (PSMU), or whether these cognitions can explain gender differences in IGD and PSMU. Drawing on gender socialization perspectives and cognition-based models, this study aims to compare the mediating effects of various types of maladaptive cognitions related to internet gaming and social media. A sample of 942 junior high school students in China participated in a two-wave survey. Logistic regression analysis revealed that specific types of maladaptive cognition did not serve as common predictors of IGD and PSMU at T2. Mediation analysis demonstrated distinct mediating effects for different maladaptive cognitions. The association between gender and IGD at T2 was mediated by perceived urges to play internet games and perceived unwillingness to stop playing internet games at T1. The specific indirect effect indicated that only the perceived unwillingness to stop using social media at T1 mediated the association between gender and PSMU at T2. The findings provide stronger support for the cognitive-behavioral model than for the interaction of person-affect-cognition-execution model concerning the effects of maladaptive cognitions. Providing counseling for adolescents experiencing thoughts of unwillingness to stop may help protect them from developing IGD and PSMU.