title: Impulsivity, self-regulation,and pathological video gaming among youth: testing a mediation model.
abstract: Given the potential negative mental health consequences of pathological video gaming, understanding its etiology may lead to useful treatment developments. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of impulsive and regulatory processes on pathological video gaming. Study 1 involved 2154 students from 6 primary and 4 secondary schools in Singapore. Study 2 involved 191 students from 2 secondary schools. The results of study 1 and study 2 supported the hypothesis that self-regulation is a mediator between impulsivity and pathological video gaming. Specifically, higher levels of impulsivity was related to lower levels of self-regulation, which in turn was related to higher levels of pathological video gaming. The use of impulsivity and self-regulation in predicting pathological video gaming supports the dual-system model of incorporating both impulsive and reflective systems in the prediction of self-control outcomes. The study highlights the development of self-regulatory resources as a possible avenue for future prevention and treatment research.
authors.affiliation: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore albertliau@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Albert K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Liau
authors.affiliation: Singapore Armed Forces Counselling Centre, Singapore.
authors.forename: Eng Chuan
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Neo
authors.affiliation: Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.affiliation: National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Hyekyung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.affiliation: Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.affiliation: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
authors.forename: Dongdong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
authors.forename: Angeline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khoo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000067697:Adolescent Health; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D000068356:Self-Control / Q000523:psychology*; D012846:Singapore; D018910:Video Games / Q000523:psychology*