Effect of Online Gaming Addiction on the Mental Health and Social Competence Among the Adolescents

Abstract

The research used a cross-sectional approach to explore the effects of online gaming addiction on the mental health and social skills of adolescents. A random sample of 600 adolescents from private and government schools and colleges in Lala Musa and Gujrat, Pakistan was selected using a random sampling method. Data was gathered using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, DASS-21, and Perceived Social Competence Scale II. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that online gaming addiction is negatively correlated with social competence and positively correlated with mental health issues. The study also found that boys were more likely to be addicted to gaming compared to girls. Additionally, it showed that online gaming addiction significantly predicted mental health issues among adolescents. The study's findings are expected to provide valuable insights into how online gaming addiction impacts the mental and social well-being of adolescents, potentially helping to address mental health and social challenges in this age group.