Oppositional defiant disorder, internet gaming disorder, and suicidal ideation among Saudi adolescents: a moderated mediation model of gender and self-control

Many psychological changes occur during adolescence, as well as, for some, behavioral disorders. Two such deviant behaviors are internet gaming disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. Prior research has documented the relationships between oppositional defiant disorder and internet gaming addiction with suicidal ideation among adolescents, but none has studied the potential mediating role of self-control nor the moderation role of gender.

This study investigated the relationships between oppositional defiant disorder, internet gaming disorder, and suicidal ideation, and applied a moderated mediation model including the roles of gender and self-control.

273 adolescents (mean age = 15.47, 57% females) participated in the study. Respondents completed the Suicidal Ideation Scale; the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, Short Form; the Oppositional Defiant Scale; and the Self-Control Scale; as well as a set of socio-demographic questions. A moderated mediation model was applied using the PROCESS software package.

Oppositional defiant disorder and internet addiction were positively related with suicidal ideation (β = 0.89, p < 0.001 and β = 0.31, p < 0.001, respectively). Self-control was found to mediate these relationships (β_{ind =} 0.10, CI = 0.03 to 0.18 for the oppositional defiant disorder –suicidal ideation relationship) and (β_{ind =} 0.19, CI = 0.12 to 0.26 for internet gaming disorder–suicidal ideation relationship). Further, it was found that these relationships were stronger in females compared to males.

Efforts to reduce suicidal ideation among adolescents with defiant behaviors and gaming disorder should be directed at enhancing their self-control and should be gender mindful.