BACKGROUND

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) becomes a growing concern during the digital era, especially with the pandemic's social distancing measures. It is essential to comprehend the psychosocial predictors and impacts of IGD.

METHODS

A two-wave annual panel study was conducted in Zigong, China, utilizing regional sampling through school-based surveys involving upper primary school to high school students. Data were collected in October 2020 (T1, N = 94,020) and October 2021 (T2, N = 60,551). Self-report data were collected on demographic information, internet gaming behavior, and other mental health factors. Cross-lagged panel models (CLPM) were employed to estimate the bidirectional relationships between the variables.

RESULTS

At T1, 65,643 (72.6 %) participants identified as gamers; at T2, this number decreased to 42,213 (69.7 %). T1 IGD symptoms demonstrated predictability for all T2 psychological variables. Within the framework of the CLPM examining the interplay between IGD symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and hyperactivity/inattention, we uncovered significant reciprocal cross-lagged effects between these variables over time. The relationship between T1 IGD symptoms and T2 anxiety symptoms had age-specific differences, with 13-15-year-old boys displaying the highest coefficient, which decreased for the 16-18 age group.

LIMITATIONS

Our study is subject to potential recall bias associated with self-reported retrospective data. Additionally, our analysis assumes temporal ordering between variables, an assumption that may not always hold in complex systems.

CONCLUSIONS

There are reciprocal relationships between IGD symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and hyperactivity/inattention in adolescents, underscoring the imperative need for comprehensive strategies aimed at addressing the impact of IGD on mental health and overall well-being.