What lead gaming problematically addictive for certain people instead of others? Correlates of personality, protective factors and biaxial structure of Internet Gaming Disorder

Due to great heterogeneity in gaming behavior patterns, the non-hierarchical polythetic criteria of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has been criticized for its lack of specificity. Although the biaxial structure (i.e., symptoms and problems) could be more sensitive for different gaming patterns, the reasonable basis underlying which remain insufficient. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of the biaxial IGD model based on DSM-V from the perspective of individual characteristics. The behavioral inhibition system (BIS)/activation system (BAS), protective factors including perceived social support and self-related factors, negative affect state and IGD-20 Test were assessed in a sample of 311 young males with excessive video gaming. Structural equation model analysis was used to test the hypothetical interactions between the protective factors and the biaxial IGD model. According to the results, independent predictive paths to the biaxial structure were observed that self-related factors negatively predicted the problems domain directly. Further analysis validated the specific problem-protective role of self-regulation and -efficacy, indicating how positive gaming pattern generated. The study provided reasonable support for the biaxial structure of IGD and deepened our insight of predisposing characteristics for different gaming patterns, bringing potentials for development of more effective diagnosis and interventions for excessive gaming or IGD.