Latent profiles of person's core characteristics related to Internet gaming disorder symptoms among college students: The mediating role of aggression.

BACKGROUND

The I-PACE model identifies person's core characteristics as key antecedents of Internet Gaming Disorder symptoms (IGDs). However, person-centered research profiling these multidimensional indicators and their underlying mechanisms concerning IGDs remains limited. Using a large-sample cross-sectional design, and based on 13 core indicators across four domains from the I-PACE model, this study employed Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to profile the person's core characteristics of Chinese college students, examining profile differences in IGDs and the mediating role of aggression.

METHODS

A sample of 11,739 Chinese college students (Mage = 21.36, SD = 2.65, 67.47% female) completed measures of 13 indicators across four domains (biopsychological constitution, psychopathology, personality, and social cognitions), along with IGDs and trait aggression. LPA identified latent profiles, the BCH method compared differences in IGDs and aggression, and relative mediation analysis tested the mediating effect of aggression.

RESULTS

Five profiles were identified: the Normative (MIGDs = 1.89), Well-Adapted (MIGDs = 1.40), High Psychopathology (MIGDs = 2.19) and Self-Deficient, High Trauma-Exposed (MIGDs = 2.35), and Severe Trauma-Exposed profiles (MIGDs = 2.80). The comparison results revealed that the Well-Adapted profile exhibited the lowest IGDs. Notably, the two trauma-exposed profiles demonstrated higher IGDs levels than the High Psychopathology and Self-Deficient profile. Furthermore, aggression significantly mediated the associations between these profiles and IGDs.

CONCLUSION

Person's core characteristics form distinct subgroups with varying IGDs risk. Compared to concurrent psychopathology and self-deficiency, adverse early experiences represent a more substantial risk factor for IGDs. Additionally, aggression serves as a crucial mediating mechanism linking these core characteristics to IGDs. These findings highlight the importance of a person-centered approach and emphasize early trauma screening in IGDs assessment and intervention.