The role of family and peers on gaming addiction in children

Abstract

With the rising trend of children and adolescents engaging in computer and video games, concerns about gaming addiction have been raised. Studies on addictions have examined the influences of social support on addictive behaviors as well as the stress-buffering effect of social support. The present study explored the role of family support and peer support on gaming addiction among primary school children. 671 students from grade 4 to 6 completed a self-report questionnaire assessing their perceived social support, academic stress and gaming addiction. Results indicated that family support and peer support were significant negative predictors of gaming addiction, and family support was found to be a stronger predictor of gaming addiction among primary school students. Besides, results showed that academic stress was a significant predictor of gaming addiction. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to explore whether family and peer support would act as buffers against the influence of academic stress on gaming addiction. Significant interactions were found between academic stress and family and peer support, but results did not support the stress-buffering effect. Implications on the importance of family and peer support, as well as the prevention of gaming addiction among children were discussed.