ROLE OF PROTECTIVE AND RISK FACTORS IN INTERNET GAMING ADDICTION AMONG YOUNG ADULTS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Abstract

People suffering from internet gaming addiction have been frequently suffered from difficulties in emotion regulation. This paper aims to explore the protective factors that might lower the chances of an individual developing internet gaming addiction, with an emphasis on the role of emotion regulation and mindfulness and risk factors that may increase the internet gaming addiction which includes social anxiety and loneliness. A sequential exploratory design was adopted in this study. In the qualitative phase, six informants living in Rawalpindi and addicted to internet games participated in interviews. In the quantitative phase, 345 respondents between the ages of 18 to 25, exhibited internet gaming addiction and lived in Rawalpindi were included using purposive sampling technique.The following instruments were used: Emotion regulation Questionnaire, Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire, mindfulness attention awareness scale, social interaction anxiety scale and RULS loneliness scale. The result indicates significant positive correlation between social anxiety and loneliness and negative correlation between mindfulness and emotion regulation. The findings of the study will help parents and caregivers adopt healthier practices to promote positive emotional regulation and reduce the risk of internet gaming addiction. Emotional regulation treatment can assist in ending the never-ending cycle of negative feelings, and practitioners should effectively apply emotional regulation techniques.