Parent-adolescent conflict, peer victimization, and Internet gaming disorder among Chinese adolescents: The moderating effect of OXTR gene rs53576 polymorphism

AbstractBackground:Despite growing evidence that parent-adolescent conflict positively correlates with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) among adolescents, its underlying mediating and moderating mechanisms have not been thoroughly examined. Based on the social development model and gene-environment interaction perspective, this study investigates whether the indirect association of parent-adolescent conflict, which impacts adolescent IGD through peer victimization, was moderated by the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene rs53576 polymorphism.Methods:Overall, 673 Chinese adolescents (Meanage= 12.81 years;SD= 0.48 years; 54% boys) were included in this study. The participants completed questionnaires concerning parent-adolescent conflict, peer victimization, and IGD, and genomic DNA was extracted from each participant’s saliva and buccal cells.Results:The findings indicated that peer victimization mediated the link between parent-adolescent conflict and IGD among adolescents. TheOXTRgene rs53576 polymorphism also moderated this indirect link. Specifically, the indirect effect of parent-adolescent conflict on adolescent IGD through peer victimization was significant for adolescents with AA homozygotes. However, it was non-significant for G-carrier adolescents.Conclusion:This research simultaneously considers the roles of family, peers, and genetics in the occurrence of adolescent IGD. Furthermore, it provides beneficial information to customize interventions for adolescent IGD prevention.