Associations of psychological distress, gaming motives and internet gaming disorder in adolescents: a network analysis

Background and objective The rapid popularization of the Internet among Chinese adolescents has resulted in the emergence of a public major concern known as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). As demonstrated by previous studies, an association has been demonstrated among emotional distress, gaming motives and IGD. Nevertheless, the specific pathways connecting these constructs remain to be elucidated. The present study aims to explore the network structure characterizing the interactions among these three constructs and to identify potential targets for psychological interventions. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in city of Hangzhou. A total of 3,795 middle school students were included in the analysis. The 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ), and the Chinese version of the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10) were used to assess emotional distress, gaming motives and IGD symptoms, respectively. Network analyses were performed using R4.5.1 software to explore the interrelationships among emotional distress, gaming motives and IGD symptoms, and identify the core symptoms and bridge symptoms. Results In the depression combined network model, the presence of bridge symptoms was indicated by no initiative (D2), gaming for escape or mood relief (IGD8) and fantasy motive (fan). In anxiety combined network model, the bridge symptoms included coping motive(cop), gaming for escape or mood relief (IGD8), withdrawal (IGD2), mouth dryness (A1), and fear of embarrassment (A4). The bridge symptoms in the stress combined network model were gaming for escape or mood relief (IGD8), difficulty winding down (S1), withdrawal (IGD2), nervous energy expenditure (S3), and coping motive (cop). Conclusion The present study explored complex network structure among psychological distress, gaming motivation, and IGD. and suggested fantasy and coping motive as bridges connecting psychological distress and IGD. Besides, our research identified no initiative, mouth dryness, difficulty winding down, fear of embarrassment, and nervous energy expenditure as the best targets for intervention to reduce IGD.