A study on the relationship between online gaming behavior and suicidal ideation among college students

Abstract Objective Guided by the stress‐coping model and self‐determination theory, this study examined the association between problematic online gaming behavior and suicidal ideation among Chinese college students and tested the protective roles of family support, family relationship quality, and family communication. Background Problematic online gaming may function as a maladaptive coping strategy during emerging adulthood, whereas supportive family processes may serve as important protective resources for students' mental health. Method A cross‐sectional survey was conducted with 710 undergraduate students from a province in China. Participants completed the Chinese version of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form, and measures of family dynamics. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate direct effects and interaction terms while controlling for gender, grade level, major, and subjective family economic status. Results Problematic online gaming behavior was a significant positive predictor of suicidal ideation. Family support, family relationship quality, and family communication were negatively associated with suicidal ideation. However, none of the interaction terms were statistically significant, indicating that these family factors did not moderate the association between problematic online gaming behavior and suicidal ideation. Conclusions These findings highlight the intersection of digital behavior, family processes, and mental health during emerging adulthood. Interventions should address maladaptive gaming‐related coping while strengthening supportive family relationships and open communication.