CONSCIENTIOUSNESS AS A PROTECTIVE FACTOR AGAINST INTERNET GAMING DISORDER IN ADOLESCENTS INVOLVED IN CYBERBULLYING

Abstract

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is a growing phenomenon these days and one of the consistent and well-known factors that raises awareness of this disorder in adolescents is cyberbullying. However, problematic gaming patterns are not found in all adolescents who experience cyberbullying, suggesting that there may be individual differences to buffer this risk. In the current study, the one personality trait examined was conscientiousness as a protective factor for the association between cyberbullying (perpetration and victimization) and IGD among Pakistani adolescents. This study used a cross-sectional correlational design, and the sample comprised 400 adolescents (200 males and 200 females) from Rawalpindi and Chakwal, using purposive sampling. The Revised Cyberbullying Inventory-II measured cyberbullying, the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form measured IGD, and the conscientiousness scale of the NovoPsych Five Factor Personality Scale-30 measured conscientiousness. Results revealed that cyberbullying perpetration and victimization both significantly predicted IGD. Moderation analysis using the Hayes PROCESS macro indicated that conscientiousness significantly moderated both relationships, weakening the association between cyberbullying perpetration and IGD as well as between cyberbullying victimization and IGD. Higher scores on conscientiousness were associated with a weaker link between cyberbullying experiences and symptoms related to games among adolescents. These results offer support for the potential role of conscientiousness as protective factor and point to the potential of intervention by promoting self-discipline, organization, and goal-directed behaviour in reducing the risk of cyberbullying experiences turning into problematic gaming among adolescents.