The Relationship between Online Gaming, Emotional Regulation and Impulsivity in Adolescents

Today’s rapidly evolving technological environment exposes teens to a variety of online gaming-related activities. In the virtual world, online gaming takes a major chunk of leisure time activities equally among adolescents and adults. This research explored the relationship between online gaming, emotional regulation, and impulsivity among adolescents. The sample of the study consisted of 90 adolescents (34 males and 56 females). Data was collected through Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form (IGDS9-SF), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (Revised). Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney, and t-test were used to analyse the data. Results indicate that there is a significant relationship between online gaming, emotional regulation, and impulsivity. There is also a significant gender difference in online gaming. The study contributes to understanding the effects of online gaming and can help to tackle addictions.