A partial mediation effect of father-child attachment and self-esteem between parental marital conflict and subsequent features of internet gaming disorder in children: a 12-month follow-up study

Abstract

Background: This study evaluated whether parent-child attachment and self-esteem may mediate the relationship between parental marital conflict and increases in features of internet gaming disorder (IGD) in children at 1 year. Methods: The baseline and one-year follow-up data for 268 pre-teens aged between 9 and 10 from the Internet User Cohort for Unbiased Recognition of Gaming Disorder in Early Adolescence (iCURE) study were collected. The students were children at low risk for IGD in the initial self-reported assessment, anyone living with both parents, current game user at baseline, and those who completed a 12-month follow-up assessment. The Internet Game Use-Elicited Symptom Screen (IGUESS) was used to identify increases in IGD features at 12 months. To examine a potential mediation effect, structural equation modeling was performed. Results: The direct effect was statistically significant, and parental marital conflict at baseline significantly predicted the increases in IGD features in children at the 12-month follow-up after adjusting for gender, sex, socioeconomic status, and baseline IGUESS score (ß = 0.206, P = 0.003). The indirect effect showed that attachment to fathers through self-esteem was a significant mediating effect (ß = 0.078, P = 0.045). Parental marital conflicts were associated with increases in IGD features in children through poor father-child attachment, and in turn, the lower levels of self-esteem in the children. Conclusions: Parents, especially fathers, should make an effort to bond with their children to reduce the risk of their children's developing the IGD features.

Internet Gaming Disorder in adolescence: investigating profiles and associated risk factors

“…Previous studies have also shown that conflict between children and their parents leads to higher levels of IGD after 1 year [ 26 ]. Similarly, disordered gaming symptoms have been found to be higher among adolescents presenting with lower commitment to family social activities, whereas important prevention strategies may focus on strong parent-child relationships [ 19 ].…”

“…Similarly, disordered gaming symptoms have been found to be higher among adolescents presenting with lower commitment to family social activities, whereas important prevention strategies may focus on strong parent-child relationships [ 19 ]. A study among Korean adolescents [ 45 ] revealed that while father-child communication reduced risk of IGD, mother-child relationship did not, which may imply that fathers should make additional efforts in order to improve open and positive communication skills with their children [ 26 , 45 ].…”

“…Other studies reported important parental influence in IGD development, such as poor parental competence and supervision, inconsistent parental behavior and poor parental care [ 7 ]. Jeong et al reported that conflict between parents resulted in greater IGD symptom-severity in children after 1 year [ 26 ]. A systematic review of family factors in adolescent IGD [ 27 ] reported four important factors: parent–child relationship, parent status (e.g., mental health, socioeconomic status), family environment (e.g., number of people living in a household) and parental influence on gaming (e.g., attitudes toward gaming, parental supervision).…”

WITHDRAWN: Internet Gaming Disorder in Adolescence: Investigating Profiles and Associated Risk Factors

“…In our study we did not nd important differences in parent-child relationship between 'high-risk' and 'low risk' participants apart from the fact that 'low risk' participants reported better understanding in the context of their parental relationships than 'high risk' participants. Previous studies have shown that con ict between parents resulted in higher IGD features in children after 1 year [35]. Similarly, disordered gaming symptoms were higher with adolescents with lower commitment in family social activities, whereas important prevention represents strong parent-child relationships.…”

“…[23]. A study among Korean adolescents [36] revealed that while father-child communication reduced risk of IGD, mother-child relationship did not, which may imply that fathers should make an effort to improve open and positive communication skills with their children [35,36].…”