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Relational Victimization and Video Game Addiction among Female College Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: The Roles of Social Anxiety and Parasocial Relationship

Author

Listed:
  • Gengfeng Niu

    (Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
    Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430079, China
    Center for Research on Internet Literacy and Behavior, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment toward Basic Education Quality, Central China Normal University Branch, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Siyu Jin

    (Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
    Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Fang Xu

    (Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
    Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Shanyan Lin

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy)

  • Zongkui Zhou

    (Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
    Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430079, China
    Center for Research on Internet Literacy and Behavior, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment toward Basic Education Quality, Central China Normal University Branch, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Claudio Longobardi

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy)

Abstract

Video game addiction, a common behavioral problem among college students, has been more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic; at the same time, females’ video game usage has also attracted considerable research attention. Against this background and under the perspective of social interaction, this study aimed to examine the relationship between relational victimization and video game addiction among female college students, as well as its underlying mechanism—the mediating roles of social anxiety and parasocial relationships with virtual characters. Female college students ( N = 437) were recruited to complete a set of questionnaires voluntarily in June 2022. Through the mediating effect analysis, the results found that (1) relational victimization was positively associated with female college students’ video game addiction; (2) social anxiety and parasocial relationships with virtual characters could independently mediate this relation; (3) social anxiety and parasocial relationships with virtual characters were also the serial mediators in this association. These findings not only expand previous studies by revealing the social motivation of video game usage and the underlying mechanism accounting for video game addiction, but also provide basis and guidance for the prevention and intervention of video game addiction in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Gengfeng Niu & Siyu Jin & Fang Xu & Shanyan Lin & Zongkui Zhou & Claudio Longobardi, 2022. "Relational Victimization and Video Game Addiction among Female College Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: The Roles of Social Anxiety and Parasocial Relationship," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16909-:d:1005381
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shuang Lin & Chengfu Yu & Jun Chen & Jing Sheng & Yousong Hu & Lin Zhong, 2020. "The Association between Parental Psychological Control, Deviant Peer Affiliation, and Internet Gaming Disorder among Chinese Adolescents: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Lei Zheng & Miao Miao & JiYoon Lim & Maorui Li & Shu Nie & Xiaojun Zhang, 2020. "Is Lockdown Bad for Social Anxiety in COVID-19 Regions?: A National Study in The SOR Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-12, June.
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    4. Zhao, Haiyan & Li, Xiaofei & Zhou, Jianxiang & Nie, Qingqing & Zhou, Jianhua, 2020. "The relationship between bullying victimization and online game addiction among Chinese early adolescents: The potential role of meaning in life and gender differences," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    5. Gengfeng Niu & Jing He & Shanyan Lin & Xiaojun Sun & Claudio Longobardi, 2020. "Cyberbullying Victimization and Adolescent Depression: The Mediating Role of Psychological Security and the Moderating Role of Growth Mindset," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-13, June.
    6. Liu, Qing-Qi & Yang, Xiu-Juan & Hu, Yu-Ting & Zhang, Chen-Yan, 2020. "Peer victimization, self-compassion, gender and adolescent mobile phone addiction: Unique and interactive effects," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
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