JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Adolescent Internet gaming disorder (IGD) was associated with severe harms. Suicidal ideation predicted completed suicides.

Objective:

The present study investigated the under-researched association between IGD and suicidal ideation and related novel mechanisms via psychological coping resources and psychological problems among Chinese adolescent internet gamers.

Methods:

An anonymous self-administered cross-sectional survey was conducted among secondary school students in Guangzhou and Chengdu, China (October 2019 to January 2020).

Results:

Of the 1,693 internet gamers, the prevalence of IGD and suicidal ideation was 17.0% and 43.1%, respectively. Importantly, IGD was significantly associated with suicidal ideation (ORa = 2.42) after adjusted for the socio-demographics and depression. Other significant factors of suicidal ideation included psychosocial coping resources (resilience and social support) and psychosocial problems (social anxiety and loneliness). The association between IGD and suicidal ideation was partially mediated by three indirect paths: 1) IGD → psychosocial coping resources → suicidal ideation, 2) IGD → psychosocial problems → suicidal ideation, and 3) IGD → psychosocial coping resources → psychosocial problems → suicidal ideation (a serial mediation), with effect sizes of 10.7%, 30.0%, and 13.3%, respectively. The direct path remained statistically significant.

Conclusions:

IGD and suicidal ideation were alarmingly prevalent. Evidently and importantly, IGD was a significant risk factor of suicidal ideation. The association was partially explained by psychosocial coping resources/problems. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the findings. Pilot randomized controlled trials are greatly warranted to evaluate effectiveness of interventions in reducing suicidal ideation via reducing IGD and improving psychosocial coping resources and problems.