Coping, escapism, and fantasy motives and depression symptoms mediate the relationship between emotion dysregulation and gaming disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studies have shown that emotion dysregulation, depression symptoms, and escapism motives are associated with Gaming Disorder (GD) symptoms. Findings indicate a discrepancy between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) GD symptoms frameworks.

Objective

The current study aimed to investigate the serial mediating effect of depression symptoms and coping, escapism and fantasy motives on the relationship between emotion dysregulation and GD symptoms and compare the WHO and APA frameworks.

Methods

Data was collected through an online survey utilizing validated self-reported measures. The final convenience sample consisted of 678 video game players (68.44 % men [n = 464], 29.65 % women [n = 201], and 1.92 

SUBMITTER: Backlund C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12813181 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature