Peer-reviewed article
Interdependent relationship between depression and Internet gaming disorder in parent-child dyads: The mediating role of family relationship and gaming time.
Li Q, Huang Y, Wong SY, Mak WWS, Yang X ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined how depression and internet gaming disorder are connected within families in Hong Kong, involving 1,277 parent-child pairs. Adolescents with depression symptoms were more likely to have internet gaming problems themselves, and their depression also increased parents' gaming problems. The relationships between family members and how much time adolescents spent gaming were important factors explaining these connections. The findings suggest that children's mental health struggles can influence unhealthy behaviors in their parents.
Key points
- Adolescents' own depressive symptoms strongly predicted their own internet gaming disorder (β = 0.273)
- Adolescents' depression symptoms also predicted parents' internet gaming disorder symptoms (β = 0.078)
- Family relationship quality and adolescent gaming time together explained 21.5% of the link between adolescent depression and their own gaming disorder
- These same factors explained 74.3% of the link between adolescent depression and parental gaming disorder
- Parents' depression was associated with their own gaming disorder (β = 0.072), but not with adolescents' gaming disorder
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional study, so it cannot establish whether depression causes gaming disorder or vice versa, or whether both result from other factors. The study relies on self-reported symptoms from surveys, which may not capture the full picture of these conditions in families.
Abstract
Background and objective A well-established link exists between depression and Internet gaming disorder (IGD) at the individual level, while it remains unexplored within the family system. This study aims to investigate the interdependent relationship between parent and adolescent depression and IGD, and to identify the potential mechanisms. Methods A cross-sectional dyadic study was conducted with adolescents and their parents (primary caregiver) in Hong Kong. Adolescents completed anonymous surveys in classrooms, and parents completed online surveys via WhatsApp or phone interviews. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) and Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) were utilized to test the interdependence and mediators between depression and IGD in parent-child dyads, respectively. Results A total of 1,277 parent-child dyads were included. Depressive symptoms in parents (β = 0.072) and adolescents (β = 0.273, both p < 0.05) were positively associated with their own IGD symptoms (actor effect). Adolescent depressive symptoms were positively associated with parental IGD symptoms (β = 0.078, p < 0.05). Family relationships and adolescent gaming time mediated the association of adolescent depressive symptoms with adolescent IGD symptoms (indirect effect accounting for 21.5%) and parental IGD symptoms (74.3%). Conclusions Adolescent depressive symptoms were positively associated with their own and parental IGD symptoms, which were mediated by adolescent-reported family relationships and adolescent gaming time. The influence of adolescents' mental health problems on parents' problematic behaviors within the family system should not be overlooked.