Trait Emotional Intelligence and Internet Gaming Disorder Among Gamers: The Mediating Role of Online Gaming Motives and Moderating Role of Age Groups

Big five personality traits, gaming motives, and regular and disordered gaming: A cross-national examination among college student gamers in seven countries

INTRODUCTION

Previous research has shown that personality traits and gaming motives are important predictors for explaining regular and disordered gaming. However, the mediating role of gaming motives in the relation between personality traits and video game outcomes (e.g., time spent gaming or disordered gaming) has been scarcely studied and limited cross-national studies have addressed this issue. The present study aimed to examine the direct and indirect effects of the Big Five personality traits on weekly gaming and disordered gaming via gaming motives across seven countries.

METHOD

3540 college student gamers (59.5% women) from the U.S., Canada, Spain, Argentina, Uruguay, South Africa and England completed the online survey. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test models. Multigroup models were employed to test model invariance across countries.

RESULTS

Significant, albeit weak, relations were found between personality traits and gaming outcomes, and were mediated mostly by coping motives in predicting disordered gaming, and by social interaction and recreation (to a lesser extent) motives in predicting weekly gaming. Some minor, yet significant, differences across countries appeared and are discussed in detail.

DISCUSSION

The present findings indicate that the differential interrelations between personality traits, gaming motives, and video gaming outcomes may be generalized in college students across countries.

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire in a Sample of College Students

This study investigates the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ). We explored the factor structure and construct validity of the MOGQ through its relationships with gaming disorder symptoms (IGD-20) and impulsivity traits. We also analyzed if sociodemographic variables and gaming habits were related to gaming motives. An online cross-sectional survey was completed by 845 college students. Structure validity was examined using a combination of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, which supported a bifactor model composed of a general motivation factor and six uncorrelated factors (a mixed factor composed of escape and coping, competition, recreation, skill, social, and fantasy). Omega-hierarchical and omega coefficients were used to determine reliability of the MOGQ. The scale presented acceptable reliability for the general factor (ωh = .79) and the specific factor scores (social ω = .79, escape/coping ω = .81, competition ω = .79, skill ω = .84, fantasy ω = .82, and recreation ω = .70). Positive associations were observed between the MOGQ and the IGD-20 symptoms, with escape/coping (r = .48) and fantasy (r =.40) showing the strongest ones. Null or low correlations were observed with impulsivity traits. Motives to play varied significantly across genders. These findings provide evidence that the Spanish version of the MOGQ is a reliable and valid tool to assess motives to play online games.

Social norms and problematic gaming among adolescents: The role of Internet use coping motives

INTRODUCTION

Problematic gaming (PG) is a public health issue among adolescents worldwide. Although several studies have documented that peer influences constitute a relevant risk factor for adolescent problematic behaviors, little research is currently available on PG. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of social norms and perceived friends' gaming frequency on participants' own gaming frequency and PG, by testing potential differences among groups with low vs. high motive to use the Internet (e.g., online gaming) as a coping strategy.

METHOD

A survey was administered to 470 adolescent gamers (mean age = 15.49 years; SD = 1.05 years; 77.9 % males). A theoretical model was tested through path analysis and multi-group comparisons were performed.

RESULTS

Path analysis revealed that social norms and perceived friends' gaming frequency were positively associated to participants' gaming behaviors and PG. Additionally, different patterns between groups emerged.

CONCLUSION

Our findings confirmed the relative importance of peer influences on adolescents' gaming behaviors and PG and showed that adolescents who rely more on online gaming to cope with negative affect may be more vulnerable to social influence processes than other peers. These findings may provide useful indications for prevention programs targeting adolescent PG.

The Role of Self-Control Dimensions, Game Motivation, Game Genre, and Game Platforms in Gaming Disorder: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Findings

Introduction

Gaming disorder (GD) is the result of an interplay between gaming-related factors, individual factors, and environmental factors. Current research primarily highlights single types of factors. Consequently, the present study simultaneously analyzed the role of individual factors, such as self-control dimensions and motives for gaming, and gaming-related factors, such as game genres, and gaming platforms in GD among female and male gamers. Additionally, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of these factors in relation to GD both cross-sectionally (Study 1) and longitudinally (Study 2).

Methods

Study 1 comprised 620 active gamers (M=22.16 years; SD=2.99), and Study 2 comprised 405 active gamers (M=28.05 years; SD=4.51). The instruments used in the studies included the Gaming Disorder Test, the nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire, Video Game Questionnaire, and Self-Knowledge New Sheet.

Results

The results showed that GD was associated with (i) self-control deficits associated with difficulties in implementation control and taking actions related to goals without unnecessary delay, (ii) retaining information about intentions and long-term plans, (iii) refraining from immediate, impulsive behavior, and (iv) inhibiting emotional reactions. GD was also associated primarily with escape, coping, and competition motives for gaming. However, the longitudinal study showed that social, fantasy, and skill-development motives were also related to GD development over time. The action game genres associated with GD but were not very important for GD over time. The cross-sectional study results indicated a negative relationship between GD and tablets and consoles used as gaming platforms. However, the longitudinal study showed that desktop computers and consoles use as gaming platforms were associated with the GD over time. Moreover, gaming-related factors explained only 9% of the variance in the GD model among female gamers and only 10% of the variance in the GD model among male gamers in cross-sectional study. In contrast, individual factors such as self-control dimensions and gaming motivation explained 32% of the variance in the GD model among both female and male gamers.

Conclusion

Individual factors, such as self-control dimensions and motives for gaming, were more important in explaining GD than gaming-related factors, such as game genres and gaming platforms. Moreover, self-control deficits and motivation related to escape, coping and competence can be important factors to consider in the prevention and treatment of GD.

Investigating Links between Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health Status in Adolescents: The Mediating Roles of Emotional Intelligence and Psychosocial Stress

Adolescence represents a crucial phase, characterized by rapid physical and mental development and numerous challenges. Physical activity plays a vital role in the mental well-being of adolescents; however, due to the prevailing educational philosophy prioritizing academic performance, adolescent participation in physical activities has yet to reach its full potential. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effects of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on adolescents' emotional intelligence, psychosocial stress, and self-rated health status. To achieve this objective, a cluster sampling method was employed to collect data from 600 adolescents in 10 schools across five municipal districts of Changsha, China. A total of 426 valid questionnaires were returned and analyzed. Utilizing AMOS v.23, a structural equation model was constructed to validate the hypotheses. The findings reveal that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity significantly impacts adolescents' emotional intelligence and self-rated health status. Conversely, it exerts a significant negative influence on their psychosocial stress. Moreover, emotional intelligence and psychosocial stress mediate the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and self-rated health status. In light of these results, education departments, schools, and families must embrace a paradigm shift in educational philosophies and provide robust support for adolescents to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activities.

Social support as the mediator for the relationship between internet gaming disorder and psychological problems among university students

BACKGROUND

There has been increasing recognition of internet gaming disorder as a psychiatric problem that is linked with serious impairment and distress and correlated with psychological reactions and social consequences. Thus, this study proposed that psychological problems (stress, anxiety, and depression) and social support could be associated with IGD and social support had a mediating role between these psychological problems and IGD among university students in Jordan.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was adopted. The university students (N = 1020) were selected randomly from four universities (two public and two private) in Jordan. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data using the Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGD-20 Test), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), Multidimensional Social Support Scale (MSPSS), and sociodemographic data.

FINDINGS

Findings of this study found that the mean age of the participants was 21.38 (S.D ± 2.12) and 55.9% of them were males The prevalence of internet gaming disorder was 12.16% among the participants, where the cut-off point for internet gaming disorder was 71 out of 100. Internet gaming disorder was significantly correlated with stress, anxiety, social support, and depression. However, stress, anxiety, and social support had a direct effect on internet gaming disorder, while social support had the strongest effect on internet gaming disorder. It was found that social support had a mediating role between anxiety and stress (β = -0.172, T-Statistics = 3.92, p < 0.001; β = -0.268, T-Statistics = 5.45, p < 0.001, respectively) and internet gaming disorder (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study can help policymakers and instructors develop health education programs and/or health training programs that focus on using social support as a coping method when experiencing psychological problems including stress and anxiety and adopt social support in management programs for excessive use of internet gaming.

Differences between recreational gamers and Internet Gaming Disorder candidates in a sample of Animal Crossing: New Horizons players

Throughout the last decade, research has considered players' gaming motives as risk and the perceived social support (PSS) as protective factors in the context of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). However, the literature is lacking diversity regarding the representation of female gamers as well as of casual and console-based games. The aim of this study was to assess IGD, gaming motives, and PSS comparing recreational gamers and IGD candidates in a sample of Animal Crossing: New Horizons players. A total of 2909 ACNH players (93.7% of them female gamers) took part in an online survey which collected demographic, gaming-related, motivational, and psychopathologic data. Using the cut-off of at least five positive answers to the IGDQ, potential IGD candidates were identified. ACNH players reported a high prevalence rate for IGD (10.3%). IGD candidates differed from recreational players regarding age, sex, and game-related, motivational, and psychopathological variables. A binary logistic regression model was computed to predict membership in the potential IGD group. Age, PSS, escapism and competition motives as well as psychopathology were significant predictors. To discuss IGD in the context of casual gaming, we consider demographic, motivational, and psychopathological player characteristics as well as game design and the COVID-19 pandemic. IGD research needs to broaden its focus concerning game types as well as gamer populations.

The Relevance of Social Intelligence for Effective Optimization of Retirement and Successful Ageing

Retirement is a psycho social process. It refers to the phase of life when a person leaves his job and withdraws from active working life. Proper optimization of retirement is only possible when a person has pre planned his life with proper finances and saving or the government is providing him with a lot of social security benefits. However, such conditions rarely occur as a person is preoccupied in his pre retirement phases. But proper optimization of retirement can also take place when a person has high social intelligence which affects physical and mental health. Hence, this paper is an endeavor to look into the relevance of social intelligence which helps the people in their retirement process in the people. Thus, a survey was done to find the level of Social Intelligence in the people who are ageing and are going to be retired soon. Around 252 people between 55 to 70 years were studied from Delhi and NCR. The result indicated that middle aged and just retired people had high social intelligence as compared to older adults and the former were also able to optimize their retirement effectively for successful ageing. The older adults were not able to cope up with the various issues of retirement due to low social intelligence. Hence, further studies can be carried out to design proper training for enhancement of social intelligence in aged people for their effective optimization of retirement.

Gaming motivations and gaming disorder symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the available literature on the relationship between gaming motivations and gaming disorder symptoms. Specifically, to (1) explore what gaming motivation questionnaires and classifications are used in studies on gaming disorder symptoms and (2) investigate the relationship between motivational factors and symptoms of gaming disorder.

METHOD

An electronic database search was conducted via EBSCO (MEDLINE and PsycINFO) and the Web of Science Core Collection. All studies using validated measurements on gaming disorder symptoms and gaming motivations and available correlation coefficients of the relationship between gaming disorder and gaming motivations were included. The meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

In total, 49 studies (k = 58 independent sub-samples), including 51,440 participants, out of which 46 studies (k = 55 sub-samples, n = 49,192 participants) provided data for the meta-analysis. The synthesis identified fourteen different gaming motivation instruments, seven unique motivation models, and 26 motivational factors. The meta-analysis showed statistically significant associations between gaming disorder symptoms and 23 out of 26 motivational factors, with the majority of the pooled mean effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. Moreover, large heterogeneity was observed, and the calculated prediction intervals indicated substantial variation in effects across populations and settings. Motivations related to emotional escape were robustly associated with gaming disorder symptoms.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The present meta-analysis reinforces the importance of motivational factors in understanding problematic gaming behavior. The analysis showed significant heterogeneity in most outcomes, warranting further investigation.

REGISTRATION DETAIL

PROSPERO (CRD42020220050).

The Relationship between Depressive Symptoms, Loneliness, Self-Control, and Gaming Disorder among Polish Male and Female Gamers: The Indirect Effects of Gaming Motives

The present study analyzed the relationship between gaming disorder (GD), motives for gaming, and psychological problems in daily life (i.e., depression, loneliness, and self-control deficits) among Polish gamers. More specifically, the purpose of the present study was to analyze the indirect effects between GD and psychological problems in daily life via motives for gaming among male and female gamers. Additionally, the present study examined gender differences in motives for gaming and the relationship between the analyzed variables. The sample comprised 652 gamers (233 females; M = 28.77 years; SD = 7.18; age range: 18-48 years). The nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Version (IGDS9-SF) was used to assess GD. The motives for gaming were assessed using the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ). The nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess depressive symptoms, and the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) was used to assess self-control. Loneliness was assessed using the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. In order to examine the relationship between the study variables, path analysis and indirect effects analysis were performed among both male and female gamers. The present study showed that depressive symptoms and self-control exerted a significant indirect effect on GD via escape and fantasy motives for gaming. Additionally, there was an indirect effect between depressive symptoms and GD via social motives for gaming. However, these indirect effects were found among male gamers only. The present study also showed gender differences in all analyzed gaming motives except escape (males scoring higher on all of them) and in the relationship between depressive symptoms and escape. These findings contribute to a better understanding of GD development mechanisms, which are associated with psychological problems in daily life.

The Impact of Pandemic-Related Life Stress on Internet Gaming: Social Cynicism and Gaming Motivation as Serial Mediators

A heightened interest in online gaming has emerged during COVID-19, and people have become increasingly vulnerable to internet gaming disorder (IGD). However, playing video games can also have a positive effect; gaming has been recognized as an efficient coping strategy. Currently, relatively little is understood about how online gaming can turn from an efficient coping strategy into an addiction disorder. This study investigated the mediating roles of social cynicism, escape and coping motives on the association between daily disruption during COVID-19 and IGD, seeking to reveal the underlying mechanism that influences the effects of gaming. A total of 203 participants in Hong Kong who reported having played electronic games during COVID-19 were surveyed. We conducted three hierarchical multiple regressions, then tested a serial mediation model using path analysis with structural equation modeling. The results revealed that escape motives significantly mediated the relationship between daily disruption related to COVID-19 and IGD, but no such effect was found for coping motives. Social cynicism alone was not a significant mediator, but social cynicism and escape motives in series mediated the relationship between daily disruption and IGD. These difference outcomes suggested different underlying mechanisms of escape and coping motives.

Impact of Mobile Game Addiction Tendency on Chinese University Students: A Hierarchical Linear Modeling Study

This study used hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to investigate the differences in mobile game addiction tendencies among universities (i.e., double first-class universities, ordinary colleges and universities, and higher vocational colleges), and to examine the influencing factors of mobile game addiction tendency at the individual and university levels. The participants of this study were 4,024 college students who completed the Chinese Mobile Phone Game Addiction Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Positive and Negative Affect Scale. Loneliness (β = 0.052), positive emotions (β = −0.126), negative emotions (β = 0.232), and double first-class universities (γ = 0.368) significantly predicted mobile game addiction tendencies. A significant cross-level interaction between double first-class universities and other factors (i.e., positive emotions, negative emotions, and mobile game addiction) was observed. The novelty of this study is that it distinguishes the various effects of mobile phone addiction tendency at the individual and university levels.

Online gaming addiction in youth: Some comments on Rosendo-Rios et al. (2022)

A recent systematic review examining online gaming addiction among children and young adults was published in Addictive Behaviors (i.e., Rosendo-Rios, Trott & Shukla, 2022). However, dozens of papers were missing from the review. One of the reasons why so many studies were not in the review is likely to be because of the search terms used. None of the search terms included the words 'adolescent', 'adolescence', 'emerging adults', 'excessive gaming', 'gaming disorder', 'video game addiction' or 'problematic gaming'. Moreover, studies were also included in the review if the mean age of the total sample was 25 years or below. This meant that some studies in the review included some participants who were not children, adolescents or emerging adults. It also meant that many studies were not included that had mean ages below the age of 26 years because they were not picked up by the search strategy. Given the high number of studies that were not included in the review, readers should view this systematic review as 'suggestive' of research in the area of problematic gaming in youth rather than 'definitive'.

Association of Internet gaming disorder symptoms with anxiety and depressive symptoms and substance use: an international cross-sectional study

Background

Problematic Internet gaming is an increasingly recognized global mental health problem. This multicultural cross-sectional study examined the association between Internet gaming disorder (IGD) symptoms and anxiety and depressive symptoms and substance use within a sample of young Internet users. In total, 3529 college/university students (1260 (35.7%) males; mean age 21 ± 3 years) were surveyed online. We assessed online gaming patterns using the Internet Gaming Disorder Self-report for College/University Students (ICMH-IGD), symptoms of depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and symptoms of anxiety using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7.

Results

IGD symptoms were associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and substance use, independent of time spent online, psychiatric diagnosis, culture, or sociodemographic characteristics. For males, more significant IGD symptoms were associated with more extended Internet browsing per day time and higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, while for females, with more extended Internet browsing per day time, marihuana use, and higher levels of depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Our study found that more overt symptoms of IGD were associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms and substance use. Still, these associations differed among males and females, suggesting that gender differences should be considered when planning specific treatments.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43045-022-00180-6.

Korean validation of the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire: Focusing on its factor structure and incremental validity

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Research has suggested that considering gaming motives can be useful in differentiating between heterogenous online game users. This study validated the Korean version of the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (K-MOGQ) and attempted to reconcile the mixed findings on its factor structure. We also examined the incremental validity of the K-MOGQ beyond the personality variables implicated in Internet gaming disorder (IGD).

METHODS

After informed consent, six hundred and forty-one Korean online game users (mean age = 21.49 years) completed a survey package including the K-MOGQ. After exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted, all existing models were compared using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to demonstrate the incremental variance explained by gaming motives.

RESULTS

The K-MOGQ demonstrated a satisfactory reliability. The EFA and CFA revealed a six-factor (fantasy, escape, skill development, competition, recreation, and social motives) solution in which the coping factor disappeared from the original seven-factor structure. In addition, the escape and fantasy motives significantly predicted increased IGD symptoms even when introversion, neuroticism, and impulsivity were controlled for.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the K-MOGQ possesses good psychometric properties for measuring the motivational basis of online gaming in Korean-speaking populations. Furthermore, escape and fantasy factors emerged as the most salient motives for IGD symptoms. More research is required to clarify whether a Western-Eastern distinction applies to the factor structure of the MOGQ.

Prevalence and risk factors of internet gaming disorder and problematic internet use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A large online survey of Japanese adults

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and problematic internet use (PIU) are becoming increasingly detrimental to modern society, with serious consequences for daily functioning. IGD and PIU may be exacerbated by lifestyle changes imposed by the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study investigated changes in IGD and PIU during the pandemic and risk factors for them. This study is a part of a larger online study of problematic smartphone use in Japan, originally planned in 2019, and expanded in August 2020 to include the impact of COVID-19. 51,246 adults completed an online survey during the pandemic (August 2020), in Japan. Of these, 3,938 had also completed the survey before the onset of the pandemic (December 2019) and were used as the study population to determine how the pandemic has influenced IGD and PIU. IGD was assessed using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS). PIU was measured using the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). The prevalence of probable IGD during COVID-19 was 4.1% overall [95%CI, 3.9%-4.2%] (N = 51,246), and 8.6% among younger people (age < 30), 1-2.5% higher than reported before the pandemic. Probable PIU was 7.8% overall [95%CI, 7.6%-8.1%], and 17.0% [95%CI, 15.9%-18.2%] among younger people, 3.2-3.7% higher than reported before the pandemic. Comparisons before and during the pandemic, revealed that probable IGD prevalence has increased 1.6 times, and probable PIU prevalence by 1.5 times (IGD: χ²= 619.9, p < .001, PIU: χ²= 594.2, p < .001). Youth (age < 30) and COVID-19 infection were strongly associated with IGD exacerbation (odds ratio, 2.10 [95%CI, 1.18 to 3.75] and 5.67 [95%CI, 1.33 to 24.16]). Internet gaming disorder and problematic internet use appear to be aggravated by the pandemic. In particular, younger persons and people infected with COVID-19 are at higher risk for Internet Gaming Disorder. Prevention and treatment of these problems are needed.

Loneliness and problematic mobile phone use among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: The roles of escape motivation and self-control

In this cross-sectional study, we explored the relationship between loneliness and problematic mobile phone use among Chinese adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the effects of escape motivation and self-control. We recruited 1034 adolescents (mean age 15.76 ± 1.20 years) from China. The results showed that loneliness was positively associated with escape motivation and adolescent problematic mobile phone use. Furthermore, when controlling for gender, escape motivation mediated the relationship between loneliness and problematic mobile phone use, and self-control moderated the relationship between escape motivation and problematic mobile phone use. Specifically, as self-control increased, escape motivation was less likely to induce problematic mobile phone use. Thus, loneliness and escape motivation may be factors that increase the risk of problematic mobile phone use, and self-control should be considered in prevention and intervention strategies aimed at attenuating adolescent problematic mobile phone use.

The Moderating Role of Coping Mechanisms and Being an e-Sport Player Between Psychiatric Symptoms and Gaming Disorder: Online Survey

BACKGROUND

The emerging popularity of playing video games (gaming) as a hobby and as a professional sport raises awareness about both the benefits and possible downsides of the activity. Although a healthy and passionate hobby for most, a minority of gamers experience addiction-like symptoms and are considered to have gaming disorder (GD). GD has previously been found to be related to aversive conditions, such as depression or anxiety, as well as putatively maladaptive coping strategies.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is twofold: to explore the moderating effect of different coping strategies and type of video game usage (professional [e-sport] or recreational) on the relationship between psychiatric symptoms and GD.

METHODS

A sample of 3476 gamers (n=3133, 90.13% males; mean age 23.20, SD 6.48 years) was recruited via the website and social networking site of the most popular gaming magazine in Hungary (GameStar).

RESULTS

The main effect of psychiatric symptoms was moderate to large in all models, whereas the moderation effects were significant (P<.001) for 4 out of 8 coping strategies (ie, self-blame/self-distraction, denial, emotional/social support, and active coping). However, the explained variance of the models only increased negligibly (from 0.3% to 0.5%) owing to the moderation effect. The direction of the moderations was as expected (ie, putatively maladaptive strategies were associated with more GD symptoms when the level of psychiatric symptoms was high, while putatively adaptive strategies were associated with less). Furthermore, no considerable moderation effect of the player type (recreational vs professional players) was found on the association between psychiatric symptoms and GD (β=.04; P=.02; 0.1% change in the explained variance).

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies should be designed to better understand coping-related mechanisms in the context of video gaming and GD.

Psychosocial factors mediating the relationship between childhood emotional trauma and internet gaming disorder: a pilot study

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been related to a wide range of detrimental psychological and health consequences. The purpose of the present pilot study was to test the direct and indirect relationships between IGD and emotional trauma, body image dissatisfaction, social anxiety, loneliness, depression, and self-esteem. A total of 242 online gamers completed a survey comprising a comprehensive battery of psychometric self-report scales concerning aforementioned variables. Results indicated that IGD was significantly correlated with all the variables except for body image dissatisfaction. Path analysis indicated an indirect relationship between childhood emotional trauma and IGD through depressive symptoms, while adjusting for gender, age, and number of hours gaming. The findings of the present study indicate that online gamers with a history of emotional abuse and/or neglect have higher levels of depressive symptoms, and that depressive symptoms are important risk factors of IGD.