Abstract
This study tested a framework of general strain theory in which academic-related stress (perceived academic stress and academic expectation stress) would be associated with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) through negative emotions/common emotional problems (depression and anxiety) among Chinese adolescents. In addition, we examined how sex would moderate the model path. A total of 3006 (52.1% males; mean age ± SD = 12.89 ±.88) students from three middle schools in central China finished a self-reported questionnaire. The proposed mediation model of IGD fitted the data well (χ 2/df=1052.49/147, p<.05, CFI=.92, NNFI=.91, RMSEA=.05). Perceived academic stress was directly (B=.04, β=.08, p=.04) and indirectly (B=.13, β=.24, p=.001) associated with IGD through negative emotions/common emotional problems. Academic expectation stress was positively and indirectly associated with IGD through negative emotions/common emotional problems (B=.01, β=.03, p=.01), but negatively and directly associated with IGD (B=−.06, β=−.15, p<.001). Furthermore, girls positively moderated the relationship between academic expectation stress and negative emotions/common emotional problems, while negatively moderated the relationship between academic expectation stress and IGD. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the different roles of academic-related stress in emotional and behavioral problems in boys and girls. IGD may be a consequence of coping with or escaping from negative emotions/common emotional problems. Copyright © 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Original language | English |
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Journal | International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction |
Early online date | Oct 2023 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - Oct 2023 |
Citation
Yang, X., Jiang, X., Wong, A., Ma, L., Cai, Y., & Wang, X. (2023). Different roles of academic stress and academic expectation stress in emotional problems and internet gaming disorder among Chinese adolescents: Application of the general strain theory. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-023-01187-8Keywords
- Perceived academic stress
- Academic expectation stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Behavioral addiction