Ludo Star Game Addiction, Social Connectedness and Psychological Well-Being in University Students of Lahore, Pakistan

Background: The increasing prevalence of online gaming among university students has raised concerns about its potential impact on psychological well-being. Ludo Star, a popular mobile game in Pakistan, has been associated with both positive and negative effects on social and mental health. Understanding the relationship between Ludo Star game addiction, social connectedness, and psychological well-being is crucial for developing effective interventions. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Ludo Star game addiction and psychological well-being, with social connectedness as a mediator, among university students in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A correlational research design was employed, utilizing a non-probability purposive sampling strategy to select 300 university students (157 men, 143 women) aged 18-25 years who regularly played Ludo Star. The Gaming Addiction Scale, Revised Social Connectedness Scale, and Psychological Well-being Scale were used to measure the study variables. Ethical considerations adhered to the Helsinki Declaration, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, mediation analysis, and independent sample t-tests using SPSS version 25. Results: Ludo Star game addiction was positively correlated with social connectedness (r = .15, p < .01) but negatively correlated with psychological well-being (r = -.12, p < .05). Social connectedness was also negatively correlated with psychological well-being (r = -.21, p < .01). Mediation analysis showed that social connectedness significantly mediated the relationship between Ludo Star game addiction and psychological well-being (β = -.08, 95% CI: -.05 to -.007). Independent sample t-tests revealed no significant gender differences in the study variables. Conclusion: The study highlighted the dual-edged nature of Ludo Star game addiction, where increased social connectedness does not translate to better psychological well-being. Interventions should focus on promoting balanced gaming habits and enhancing awareness of the potential psychological risks associated with excessive gaming.