Self-compassion mediates the relationship between family (but not peer) support and internet gaming disorder symptoms: a five-wave, random intercept cross-lagged panel model.

Résumé

Although previous studies have suggested that individuals with low self-compassion from dysfunctional familiesare at higher risks of developing online gaming addiction, the distinction between between-person differences and within-person effects in these associations has not been fully explored. This longitudinal study examined the reciprocal relations between social support and internet gaming disorder symptoms (IGDs), as well as the potential mediating role of self-compassion, while differentiating between- and within-person effects. A total of 5785 students (48.2 % of female, M = 18.63, SD = 0.88) participated in a large-scale health-related cohort study of college students. The random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) was used for data analysis. The findings revealed a reciprocal within-person relationship between family support and self-compassion. Self-compassion played a significant longitudinal mediating role in the association between family (but not peer) support and IGDs at the within-person level. These findings emphasize self-compassion as a key psychological mechanism in the relations between family support and IGDs. Future prevention and intervention programs targeted at bolstering family support and cultivating self-compassion may be effective in mitigating the risk of online gaming addiction.