Effects of Problematic Game Use on Adolescent Life Satisfaction through Social Support and Materialism

Effects of Problematic Game Use on Adolescent Life Satisfaction through Social Support and Materialism

Social concerns about the rapid diffusion in game use among adolescents and the repercussions of their addiction to gaming are evident worldwide. Neglecting to address the issues will harm social balance and sustainability at no distant date. Nevertheless, existing studies largely focus on causal prediction of problematic gaming. This study aims to mine factors that need to be urgently handled through the mechanism analysis between adolescent problematic gaming and their life satisfaction. This study tracked 778 Korean adolescents by analyzing 3-year longitudinal panel data from the Korean adolescent game user cohort research. Data analysis was performed using PLS-SEM approach focusing on bootstrapping mediation analysis and importance performance map analysis(IPMA). Our results confirmed that problematic gaming had an indirect effect on adolescent life satisfaction through mediating effects with positive parenting, teacher support, peer support, and perceived materialism rather than a direct effect. In addition, positive parenting was discovered as a factor prioritized in management activities to improve life satisfaction. This study contributes greatly by providing practical and supportive guidance necessary for solving problematic gaming issues and enhancing adolescent life satisfaction.