Investigating the Role of Health Factors and Psychological Well-Being in Gaming Disorder

Abstract

The recent recognition of Gaming Disorder (GD) as a mental health issue has provided a unique opportunity for researchers to advance our current understanding of the intricate relationships between GD and specific health-related factors and well-being. This study sought to investigate the role of key physical and psychological health and well-being factors in GD. To achieve this, three goals were explored. First, we tested whether GD can be predicted by health and well-being factors such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, attention problems, physical health problems (PHP), and psychological well-being (PWB). Second, we assessed the role of distress tolerance (DT) as a moderator in the relationship between PWB and GD. Third, we examined whether PWB would mediate the relationship between PHP and GD. A sample of 474 participants (Mean_age = 28.86 years; SD = 9.23; range: 18–66 years; 47 percent female) were recruited. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicated that age, attention problems, and PHP significantly predicted GD (R² = 0.15). In addition, the mediation findings uncovered an important direct association between PHP and GD despite the lack of mediation effects through PWB and the absence of moderating effects from DT. The present findings signify important health-related implications related to GD that are further discussed here in terms diagnosis, treatment, and prevention efforts.