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Untangling the digital connection: The longitudinal relationships between social well-being and internet gaming problems in adolescents

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  • Haoyu An
  • Xin Wang
  • Xue Yang

Abstract

Background: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and binge gaming (BG) have evolved into an emerging concern among global children and adolescents. However, studies on the interpersonal/social factors of these internet gaming problems are lacking. Objectives: This 1-year two-wave longitudinal study aims to explore the bidirectional causal relationships between social (loneliness and social anxiety) and internet gaming problems (IGD and BG) utilizing cross-lagged models. Methods: A cohort of first-year high school students in central China underwent a baseline evaluation in 2018 and a follow-up survey in 2019. IGD, BG, loneliness, and social anxiety were measured by self-reported psychological scales. Results: Of all the participants, 12.3% (148/1,200) and 11.7% (140/1,200) were classified as having IGD at baseline (T1) and follow-up (T2), respectively. Additionally, 13.4% (161/1,200) at T1 and 13.8% (165/1,200) at T2 of the participants were classified to have BG. Social anxiety at T1 was positively associated with IGD (β = .19, p  

Suggested Citation

  • Haoyu An & Xin Wang & Xue Yang, 2026. "Untangling the digital connection: The longitudinal relationships between social well-being and internet gaming problems in adolescents," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 72(2), pages 244-253, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:72:y:2026:i:2:p:244-253
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640251354818
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