Presentation Information
[P-3-02]The Impact of Anxiety on Internet Gaming Addiction: The Moderating Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences
*Dong-ha Lee1, Jun-won Hwang2,1, Jung-yoo Kim1, Myung-hoon Jung1 (1.Gangwon State Mental Health Center(Korea), 2.Kangwon National University, College of Medicine(Korea))
Keywords:
Anxiety,internet gaming addiction,adverse childhood experiences,moderation effect,young and middle-aged adults
Introduction
In the digital environment, internet gaming addiction has emerged as a significant mental health issue, with previous studies indicating that high levels of anxiety can increase the risk of gaming addiction. Furthermore, adverse childhood experiences(ACEs) may affect individuals' emotional and behavioral responses, potentially heightening anxiety levels or increasing vulnerability to gaming addiction. Based on this context, this study aims to analyze the effect of anxiety levels on internet gaming addiction among young adults aged 19 to 49 and to examine whether ACEs moderate this relationship.
Method
Data were obtained from the ‘2024 Gangwon State Addiction Survey in South Korea. From a total of 1,000 adults aged 19-65, a sample of 550 individuals aged 19-49 was selected for analysis. Controlling for gender and age, the relationship between anxiety and internet gaming addiction was empirically examined. Additionally, Hayes’ (2022) moderation model (Model 1) was employed to evaluate the moderating effect of ACEs.
Result
The results showed that higher anxiety levels significantly increased internet gaming addiction levels (B=0.407, p<.001, F=37.035, p<.001), with the model explaining 16.5% of the variance. Furthermore, ACEs demonstrated a significant moderating effect (B=0.025, p<0.01). A simple slope analysis (Aiken & West, 1991) revealed that as ACE levels increased (-1SD: B=0.142, p<0.05; Mean: B=0.206, p<.001; +1SD: B=0.229, p<.001), the impact of anxiety on internet gaming addiction became more pronounced.
Conclusion
This study confirmed that anxiety significantly affects internet gaming addiction and that ACEs intensify this relationship. The findings underscore the importance of addressing both anxiety and adverse childhood experiences in the prevention and intervention of gaming addiction. Tailored psychological support and early intervention strategies are recommended. Furthermore, future research should explore additional psychosocial factors to develop more precise intervention approaches.
In the digital environment, internet gaming addiction has emerged as a significant mental health issue, with previous studies indicating that high levels of anxiety can increase the risk of gaming addiction. Furthermore, adverse childhood experiences(ACEs) may affect individuals' emotional and behavioral responses, potentially heightening anxiety levels or increasing vulnerability to gaming addiction. Based on this context, this study aims to analyze the effect of anxiety levels on internet gaming addiction among young adults aged 19 to 49 and to examine whether ACEs moderate this relationship.
Method
Data were obtained from the ‘2024 Gangwon State Addiction Survey in South Korea. From a total of 1,000 adults aged 19-65, a sample of 550 individuals aged 19-49 was selected for analysis. Controlling for gender and age, the relationship between anxiety and internet gaming addiction was empirically examined. Additionally, Hayes’ (2022) moderation model (Model 1) was employed to evaluate the moderating effect of ACEs.
Result
The results showed that higher anxiety levels significantly increased internet gaming addiction levels (B=0.407, p<.001, F=37.035, p<.001), with the model explaining 16.5% of the variance. Furthermore, ACEs demonstrated a significant moderating effect (B=0.025, p<0.01). A simple slope analysis (Aiken & West, 1991) revealed that as ACE levels increased (-1SD: B=0.142, p<0.05; Mean: B=0.206, p<.001; +1SD: B=0.229, p<.001), the impact of anxiety on internet gaming addiction became more pronounced.
Conclusion
This study confirmed that anxiety significantly affects internet gaming addiction and that ACEs intensify this relationship. The findings underscore the importance of addressing both anxiety and adverse childhood experiences in the prevention and intervention of gaming addiction. Tailored psychological support and early intervention strategies are recommended. Furthermore, future research should explore additional psychosocial factors to develop more precise intervention approaches.