Investigating the Relationship of Dark Tetrad and Emotional Dysregulation in the context of Internet Gaming Disorder. Case study of a high school in Tehran

Playing internet video games are becoming increasingly widespread, yet a minority of people show signs of pathological gaming. This research aims to investigate the relationship between pathological internet gaming, online gaming motives Dark Tetrad traits of personality (Machiavellianism, Psychopathy, Narcissism, and Sadism), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation. We have identified significant correlations between Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and all the mentioned variables and tested their predictive strength using linear regression modelling. The results show that the number of hours spent playing only online games, Dark Tetrad, Emotional Dysregulation, and the gaming motivations had significant correlations with IGD and explained ۴۲% of its variance (however only ‘escape’ was a significant predictor [Std. β = ۰.۳۴, p-value = ۰.۰۰۵]). Dark Tetrad and Emotional Dysregulation could significantly predict IGD as well (r squared = ۰.۰۹ & ۰.۱۳). There were intercorrelations between these variables too that could suggest possible indirect mediation pathways.

Keywords:

Internet Gaming Disorder , Motives for Online Gaming , Dark Tetrad , Emotional Dysregulation