Longitudinal Interactions between Problematic Internet Gaming and Symptoms of Depression Among University Students: Differentiating Anhedonia and Depressed Mood

Addict Behav. 2025 Jan:160:108184. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108184. Epub 2024 Oct 1.

Abstract

Background/objective: This study examines the interplay between problematic internet gaming (PIG) and depressive symptoms among university students, specifically anhedonia and depressed mood. Prior studies lacked distinction between these symptoms and had limited follow-ups.

Method: The three-wave longitudinal study analyzed data from 1,720 university students (with an average age of 20 years and 49 % being female) using a random intercept cross-lagged panel model, which distinguished between-person and within-person effects.

Results: At the between-person level, PIG was positively associated with two depressive symptoms. At the within-person level, PIG positively predicted future anhedonia. Besides, depressed mood positively predicted future PIG.

Conclusions: Our results have identified PIG as a risk factor for anhedonia and depressed mood as a risk factor for PIG among university students.

Keywords: Anhedonia; Depressive symptoms; Longitudinal Study; Problematic internet gaming; Young adult.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anhedonia*
  • Depression* / epidemiology
  • Depression* / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internet Addiction Disorder* / epidemiology
  • Internet Addiction Disorder* / psychology
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Students* / psychology
  • Students* / statistics & numerical data
  • Universities
  • Video Games / psychology
  • Young Adult