The Relationship of Video Game Addiction with Childhood Traumas and Emotional Dysregulation Problems

Abstract

This study aimed to contribute to the literature on the factors causing video game addiction through examination of the relationship of video game addiction with childhood experiences and emotion dysregulation. The study population consisted of university students between 18 and 35 years of age. The data were obtained through surveys developed on Google Forms, which were sent to the smartphones of the university students, who were obtained from the university registration system and who agreed to volunteer. Participants responded to the Game Addiction Scale (GAS), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Data obtained from 269 university students were examined in the study. Looking at the correlation between the scales, a significant positive correlation was observed between malfunctions and clarity (r: 0.206) among the video game addiction subscales. In addition, success was significantly and positively correlated with total DERS (r: 0.211) and CTQ scores (r: 0.207), and economic profits had a significant positive correlation with DERS (r: 0.211) and total CTQ scores (r:0.207). In the linear regression model concerning childhood traumas and difficulties in emotional regulation constructed for video game addiction scores, sexual abuse (β: 0,731) and clarity (β: 1,019) subscale scores were observed to have positive contributions. Many types of addictions, especially video game addiction, can be prevented by preventing adverse childhood experiences, providing physical and emotional support to the child, and ensuring that emotion regulation skills are used effectively. Considering the changing characteristic of difficulties in emotional regulation among these two factors, improving the emotion regulation skills of individuals with adverse childhood experiences can reduce the addiction risk concerning video games.