Parent Attachment and Video Gaming Addiction: The Serial Mediation Role of Social Support and Maladaptive Daydreaming

• Usman Ahmad Zaheer ^[1] ; Sofia Mastrokoukou ^[2] ; Claudio Longobardi ^[3] ; Paolo Bozzato ^[4]
  1. [1] University of the Punjab

     University of the Punjab

     Pakistán

     
  2. [2] University of Salerno

     University of Salerno

     Fisciano, Italia

     
  3. [3] University of Turin

     University of Turin

     Torino, Italia

     
  4. [4] Università dell'Insubria

     Università dell'Insubria

     Varese, Italia

     

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• Localización: EJIHPE: European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, ISSN 2174-8144, ISSN-e 2254-9625, Vol. 15, Nº. 4, 2025, págs. 60-60
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe15040060
• Enlaces
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• Resumen

  • Previous research has demonstrated both direct and indirect relationships between parental attachment and gaming addiction in adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the role of parental attachment in adolescent gaming addiction, specifically examining how maladaptive daydreaming and perceived social support function as mediators in this relationship. A convenience sample of 898 Italian adolescents (550 female, Mage = 14.89 years, SD = 1.71) completed a questionnaire that included the Inventory of Parent and Peers Attachment, the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale, the Game Addiction Scale, and a demographic survey. Correlation analyses confirmed a negative relationship between parental attachment and gaming addiction. Mediation analyses also showed that perceived social support and maladaptive daydreaming serve as significant serial mediators in this relationship. These results emphasize the importance of both factors in understanding how parental attachment influences gaming addiction. Adolescents exhibiting gaming addiction is caused by low perceived social support and maladaptive daydreaming may benefit from psychological interventions targeting adaptive regulation strategies. Strengthening the sense of security and self-confidence through such interventions may help to reduce excessive gaming behaviors.

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