Longitudinal Relationships Between Victimization Experiences and Internet Gaming Disorder Symptoms in Adolescents

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and adolescent victimization—including offline and cyber peer bullying, and abuse by parents and teachers—are both pressing public health concerns. However, related longitudinal research is lacking. This 1-year two-wave survey tested the longitudinal relationships and two-wave occurrence patterns (incidence, termination, absence, continuation) of victimization experiences with IGD symptoms. In total, 2004 Chinese high school students completed a self-report questionnaire in classroom settings with a 1-year follow-up. The cross-lagged model showed that parental abuse and cyberbullying at baseline significantly predicted IGD at follow-up. Further analyses showed that abuse by teachers was the most frequent victimization experience reported by students and tended to continue at follow-up. Regarding the occurrence patterns, the incidence of victimization from parents and peers, as well as cyberbullying predicted an increase in IGD symptoms, while their termination or absence predicted a decrease in IGD symptoms. Conversely, abuse by teachers was negatively associated with IGD symptoms, suggesting a potential deterrent effect. Gender moderated the relationship between IGD and victimization. The findings suggest that the immersive nature of virtual gaming may provide adolescents with a temporary escape from real-life and online victimization and is associated with an increase in IGD symptoms.