Developmental Assets, Self-Control and Internet Gaming Disorder in Adolescence: Testing a Moderated Mediation Model in a Longitudinal Study

Abstract

From the perspective of positive youth development, developmental assets and self-control play critical roles in promoting adolescent development. However, their effects have not been evaluated in the current issue, internet gaming disorder (IGD). IGD is gradually becoming an important social problem among worldwide youth and has been included in the eleventh International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Therefore, the present study was determined to investigate the relationship between developmental assets, self-control, and IGD. A two-wave longitudinal study, with each wave spanning half a year apart, was conducted in a sample of 1023 adolescents (aging from 11 to 15, 49.36% boys) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of the moderated mediation model revealed that T1 developmental assets could predict less IGD at T2 directly or through T1 self-control indirectly. Furthermore, the moderating effect of gender was not significant in the mediation model. Overall, adolescents who experience more developmental assets are less likely to suffer IGD. Moreover, developmental assets are conducive to developing a higher level of self-control, which in turn contributes to preventing or intervening in IGD as well. Therefore, measures should be taken to construct developmental assets to prevent or reduce IGD during adolescence.

Cyberbullying and internet gaming disorder in Chinese youth: The role of positive youth development attributes

“…And this finding enriched the previous studies by directly confirming the cumulative effects of 15 positive attributes on cyberbullying ( 34 , 35 , 37 ) and empirically responded to Schiamberg et al's advocacy ( 31 ) to incorporate PYD theory to investigate bullying behaviors. Additionally, this finding echoes the studies of Xiang et al ( 28 ) and Gan et al ( 38 ) which revealed the cumulative effects of various developmental assets on reducing Chinese adolescents' IGD. And this current finding also expanded the indirect evidence on relation between several positive attributes and IGD, as well as other forms of addiction ( 41 – 44 ).…”

“…In response to this policy call and considering that these online behavioral problems have high prevalence and critical adverse effects ( 2 , 5 , 7 , 8 ), this study attempts to figure out protective factors that could significantly prevent adolescents from these problems. Theoretical and empirical evidence suggests that PYD attributes are tightly linked to cyberbullying and IGD ( 20 , 28 , 34 , 35 ), but the underlying mechanism is still unknown. Thus, the current study investigated the interactions between cyberbullying and IGD as well as the buffering effects of PYD attributes among Chinese adolescents.…”

“…Prior literature has repeatedly confirmed the effects of PYD attributes on individual growth in various cultures ( 21 , 25 – 27 ). Moreover, these positive factors are also confirmed to protect young people from developmental problems during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 24 , 28 ). However, the function of these PYD models has rarely been evaluated in digital contexts, whereas today's young generations are digital natives who have grown up in the digital age and naturally use the digital media ( 29 ).…”

“…Moreover, personal resources and several PYD attributes were significantly associated with bullying behaviors among adolescents ( 36 , 37 ). In terms of IGD, previous studies have revealed the protective effects of various developmental assets in reducing Chinese adolescents' IGD ( 28 , 38 ). Besides, resilience, social competence, emotional competence (e.g., emotional intelligence), self-efficacy, and self-determination are negatively associated with IGD in young people ( 39 – 42 ).…”

School assets and bullying in Chinese youth: A multiple mediation model of intentional self-regulation and internet gaming disorder

“…According to social control theory ( 72 ), a favorable school environment helps students develop “bonds” and social norms that limit their offending behavior, such as the IGD. Xiang et al ( 73 ) found that developmental assets, incorporating school assets, negatively predicted adolescent IGD through a longitudinal study. In a study of 500 Chinese students ranging from 12 to 17 years old, Yu et al ( 74 ) showed that school climate could alleviate their problematic online game use.…”