Work

Academic stress and internet gaming addiction in college students: a moderated mediation model with anxiety as mediator and peer support as moderator

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background Academic stress is a known risk factor for internet gaming addiction among college students; however, the underlying mechanisms remain not fully elucidated. The current study aimed to examine the mediating role of anxiety in the relationship between academic stress and internet gaming addiction, as well as the moderating role of peer support. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 636 Chinese college students in China. Participants completed measures of academic stress, anxiety, peer support, and internet gaming addiction. Analyses were performed using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. Model 4 was used to test mediation, and Model 59 was used to test moderated mediation, with age and gender controlled for in all analyses. Results Academic stress was positively associated with internet gaming addiction among college students ( r = 0.28, p < 0.001), and anxiety mediated this relationship (indirect effect = 0.22, 95% CI = [0.16, 0.27]). Peer support significantly moderated this indirect effect by buffering the path from academic stress to anxiety ( b = -0.18, p <.01). Specifically, for college students with lower peer support, the relationship between academic stress and anxiety was significant ( b = 0.42, p <.001); for those with higher peer support, the relationship remained significant but weaker ( b = 0.24, p <.001). Conclusion Academic stress was associated with internet gaming addiction among college students through increased anxiety, and peer support served as a protective buffer in this mechanism by weakening the association between academic stress and anxiety. These findings highlight the importance of anxiety management and peer support interventions for preventing internet gaming addiction among college students facing academic stress.

Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1958057

Authors: Jingjing Li, Bao Liu, Yu Wang

Institutions: Guangzhou Medical University, North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Hubei University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Impact of Technology on Adolescents

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801