(PS8-92) The Role of Self-Efficacy in the Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Problematic Online Gaming Among Hispanic Emerging Adults

Abstract Text: Research has observed that greater levels of online gaming are related to vulnerability to stress in that individuals may resort to online gaming to cope with stressful situations (Canale et al., 2019; Young & de Abreu, 2010). Additionally, emotional dysregulation has been associated with problematic online gaming behaviors, highlighting that problematic online gaming may be an emotion-driven behavior (Johnston & Dinc, 2024). Further investigation into the association of psychological constructs and problematic online gaming is vital as Hispanic adolescents may spend more hours a day playing video games than other ethnic groups (Carson et al., 2012). Despite such insights, there is a scarcity of research assessing how psychological constructs associate with problematic online gaming in Hispanic emerging adults. Thus, the present study addresses this gap by exploring these associations among Hispanic university emerging adults.

Hispanic university emerging adults (n=421; Mage=19.96, SD=1.78; 73.2% female, 100% Hispanic) from a Hispanic Serving Institution were recruited via a secure web-based recruitment system. After signing an electronic consent form, participants completed a survey assessing demographics, problematic online gaming, depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms, and general and social self-efficacy. In one hierarchical multiple linear regression with problematic online gaming as the dependent variable, control variables (age, sex) were entered in Step 1, depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms in Step 2, and general and social self-efficacy in Step 3.

The full model (i.e., Step 3) assessing problematic online gaming was statistically significant (F(7,416)=13.699, R2=.19, p<.001); problematic online gaming was associated with general self-efficacy (Beta=-.11, p=.027). In Step 2 though, depressive symptoms were positively associated with problematic online gaming (Beta=.15, p=.033), yet this association disappeared once general and social self-efficacy were introduced into the model. From these results, one post hoc mediation was conducted which indicated that depressive symptoms were indirectly associated with problematic online gaming through general self-efficacy (Beta=.038, 95% CI: .003, .080). The direct association between depressive symptoms and problematic online gaming was not significant (Beta=.03, p=.308).

These findings suggest that Hispanic emerging adults may problematically engage in online gaming to cope with depressive symptoms. Post hoc mediation analyses suggest that individuals who experience depressive symptoms may have lower levels of self-efficacy and coincidingly exhibit higher levels of problematic online gaming. These findings are consistent with the cognitive-behavioral model of pathological internet use (Davis, 2001) in that cognitive distortions may lead to compulsive internet behaviors, reinforcing the cycle of overuse thus highlighting the potential role of low self-efficacy in the association between depressive symptoms and problematic gaming behaviors. Interventions targeting self-efficacy may be beneficial in addressing gaming-related issues among individuals with depressive symptoms.