Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers
Published on: November 9, 2019
The effect of childhood environmental unpredictability on problematic gaming among Chinese college students: a
Zinuo Wang1, Yifan Wang2, Caiyan Chen1
1College of Science and Technology, Ningbo University, No. 521 Wenwei Rd. Baisha Road St. Cixi, Ningbo, 315300, Zhejiang, P. R. China.
Background:
Childhood environmental unpredictability (CEU) is recognized as a contributing factor to the maintenance and development of problematic gaming (PG) in adulthood by undermining individuals' psychological well-being. According to the cognitive vulnerability-stress model, cognitive schemas, such as unpredictability beliefs, may moderate the indirect pathway of CEU on PG via psychological distress. However, direct empirical evidence remains limited.
Methods:
Using cross-sectional design and convenience sampling, a total of 1,255 Chinese college students aged 17 to 28 years (54.50% female, Mage = 21.36, SD = 1.30) completed self-report questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, CEU, psychological distress, unpredictability beliefs, and PG. A moderated mediation model was conducted to test the hypotheses.
Results:
After controlling for gender, age, and annual family income, findings showed that CEU was positively associated with PG (β = 0.252, SE = 0.029, 95% CI [0.195, 0.307]). Additionally, psychological distress partially mediated the relationship between CEU and PG (β = 0.144, SE = 0.016, 95% CI [0.114, 0.177]). Moreover, unpredictability beliefs moderated the first stage of the mediation pathway. Specifically, higher unpredictability beliefs strengthened the association between CEU and psychological distress (β = 0.114, SE = 0.025, 95% CI [0.094, 0.194]).
Conclusions:
These findings provide further insights into the impact of CEU on individuals' psychological and behavioral development, offer empirical support for the cognitive vulnerability-stress model, and help identify the potential targets for mitigating psychological distress and PG among college students.
Related Concept Videos
Bullying
Conduct Disorder
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
The Scientific Method
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....

