Emotional regulation in Gaming Disorder: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Problematic video game use is a growing concern.
• Emotional regulation is a key factor in addiction research.
• The link between emotional regulation and problematic gaming needs further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the relationship between emotional regulation and problematic video game use.
• To synthesize current evidence on how emotional regulation influences gaming behaviors.
• To identify potential targets for intervention in problematic gaming.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
• Screened 322 studies, with 18 included in the final analysis.
• Assessed methodological quality using the McMaster Critical Review Form for Quantitative studies (CRF-Q), rating it as moderate.

Main Results:

• Evidence supports a relationship between emotional regulation facets and problematic gaming.
• Video games are used as an escape strategy to suppress emotions.
• No consensus exists on the mediating/moderating roles of psychopathology or gender in this relationship.

Conclusions:

• Emotional dysregulation, especially emotional suppression and poor emotion control, is implicated in problematic video game use.
• Emotional regulation strategies are crucial for research and clinical interventions.
• This review highlights emotional suppression and negative escapism as significant factors in problematic gaming.