Aggression, social environment, and Internet gaming addiction among Korean adolescents

I investigated whether or not aggression and social factors (i.e., family relationships and commitment to school) predict Internet gaming addiction in Korean adolescents, and I examined the mediating role of aggression in the relationship between these variables. Participants comprised 263 Korean male high school students, who completed surveys that measured aggression, family relationships, commitment to school, and Internet gaming addiction. The results showed that aggression, family conflict, and a lower commitment to school significantly predicted Internet gaming addiction. Aggression partially mediated the relationship between family conflict and Internet gaming addiction. Thus, when adolescents are receiving help for an Internet gaming addiction it is advisable to pay close attention to their aggression and social relationships. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.