Work

Longitudinal Relationships Between Victimization Experiences and Internet Gaming Disorder Symptoms in Adolescents

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and adolescent victimization—including offline and cyber peer bullying, and abuse by parents and teachers—are both pressing public health concerns. However, related longitudinal research is lacking. This 1-year two-wave survey tested the longitudinal relationships and two-wave occurrence patterns (incidence, termination, absence, continuation) of victimization experiences with IGD symptoms. In total, 2004 Chinese high school students completed a self-report questionnaire in classroom settings with a 1-year follow-up. The cross-lagged model showed that parental abuse and cyberbullying at baseline significantly predicted IGD at follow-up. Further analyses showed that abuse by teachers was the most frequent victimization experience reported by students and tended to continue at follow-up. Regarding the occurrence patterns, the incidence of victimization from parents and peers, as well as cyberbullying predicted an increase in IGD symptoms, while their termination or absence predicted a decrease in IGD symptoms. Conversely, abuse by teachers was negatively associated with IGD symptoms, suggesting a potential deterrent effect. Gender moderated the relationship between IGD and victimization. The findings suggest that the immersive nature of virtual gaming may provide adolescents with a temporary escape from real-life and online victimization and is associated with an increase in IGD symptoms.

Source: Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools

DOI: 10.1177/20556365261480886

Authors: Xue Yang, Jingsong Luo, Arina Aladysheva, Yong Cai, Liping Zhang