Emotional Dysregulation Mediates the Relationship between Internet Gaming Addiction and Aggression Among Adolescents

Internet gaming Addiction has been associated with increased aggression in adolescents, but the underlying mechanisms explaining this relationship remain underexplored. This study examined emotional dysregulation as a mediator between IGA and aggression in adolescents. A cross-sectional design was employed with 273 adolescents (aged 13-19), assessing IGA, emotional dysregulation and aggression using self-report measures. Results indicated significant positive correlations between IGA, emotional dysregulation, and aggression. Gender and residential differences were also explored, with males and urban residents showing higher aggression levels. Mediation analysis confirmed that emotional dysregulation partially mediated the relationship between IGA and aggression, suggesting that adolescents with higher IGA scores exhibited greater difficulties in emotion regulation, which in turn predicted increased aggression. These findings highlight the need for interventions targeting emotional regulation to mitigate aggression in adolescents with IGA. The findings highlight the need for interventions targeting emotional regulation skills to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive gaming.