Examining the social mechanism linking excessive video gaming and depressive symptoms among adolescents: interplay of friend support and parenting quality.

BACKGROUND

Some adolescents can achieve academic success and maintain well-being despite their engagement in video gaming. Social factors may play a role in their vulnerability to mental health problems.

AIMS: This study examined the role of perceived peer support and childhood experiences of optimal parenting in the association between video-gaming duration and depressive symptoms in adolescents.

METHOD: A sample of 1071 adolescents (mean age 13.62 years, s.d. = 0.95) completed a questionnaire on video-game usage. Their perceptions of parental care and support since childhood were assessed using the Parental Bonding Instrument, whereas their perceived peer friend support was assessed using the friend support subscale of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Their depressive symptoms were measured using the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Moderated mediation analysis was conducted to examine the associations of these variables. Family socioeconomic status and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were included as covariates.

RESULTS

Longer durations of video gaming were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. The role of perceived peer support in this association was moderated by childhood experiences of optimal parenting. Specifically, the mediating role of perceived friend support was significant only for adolescents who lacked optimal parenting.

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between frequent video gaming and depressive symptoms in adolescents is complex and may depend on the levels of peer and parental support. Lacking support from both parents and peers can increase adolescents' risk of depression associated with frequent video gaming.