Impact of Family Support and Perception of Loneliness on Game Addiction Analysis of a Mediation and Moderation

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the psychological constructs of loneliness and family support on game addiction among children, who are a major risk group for game addiction. The study explores: a) the effect of the secondary-school students' perception of family support on game addiction; b) the mediation effect of the feeling of loneliness experienced by children in the effect of family support on game addiction; and c) the moderating effect of gender on the mediation model. The study group is composed of 575 students studying in a secondary school in the city of Ankara. For the analysis of the data, the study employed factorial and structure validity analyses, a reliability analysis, a structural equation model, and mediator and moderator variable analyses. The study concluded that although family support had a significant effect on game addiction, a major part of such effect resulted from the individual's perception of loneliness, which was more evident among the female students.