Determinants of problematic online gaming in younger and older adults: emotional dysregulation, trait impulsivity and risk taking

Problematic online gaming is a great concern among emerging adults. Although some cross-sectional studies suggest that problematic online gaming is associated with emotional difficulties, there is limited investigation into contribution of psychological risk factors among different age groups.The current study aimed to explore whether young emerging adults have significantly greater emotion dysregulation (ED), trait impulsivity, risk taking behaviours and problematic online gaming than older adults; and the predictive value of ED, urgency and risk taking behaviours on problematic online gaming. A total of 156 participants (M_age = 26.42) completed the Short UPPS-P Impulsive Behaviour Scale (SUPPS-P), Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire Short-Form (POGQ-SF), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Short-Form (DERS-SF) and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). Younger adults (18 to 24 years) showed significantly greater ED and higher risk-taking behaviours than older adults (25-49 years), with males showing higher problematic online gaming and risk-taking. 18 to 24 years old adults had significantly greater ED for lack of goals (p < .01) and strategy (p < .01), and higher risk-taking behaviours (p < .01) than older adults. Positive urgency (PU) (p < .01) was the strongest predictor of problematic online gaming. Furthermore, there were significant indirect effects of positive urgency and negative urgency on problematic online gaming via difficulties in emotion regulation. Adult problematic online gaming is an emotion-driven problem behaviour that has similar associations to other internet addictions like online gambling disorder and that age-related changes during adulthood affect ED and risk taking behaviour. Limitations, future cyberpsychology research and implications including clinical and policy are discussed.