Problematic gaming refers to an excessive pattern of video game use characterized by difficulties in self-regulation and interpersonal functioning. According to attachment theory, insecure attachment may lead individuals to engage in gaming as a coping strategy for emotional distress and unmet relational needs. Although both emotion dysregulation and dissociative experiences have been linked to insecure adult attachment and problematic gaming, the relationships between each of these variables have not yet been tested. This study aimed to investigate whether emotion dysregulation and dissociative experiences mediate the association between insecure adult attachment and problematic gaming among young adult gamers. A total of 692 Italian young adults (68.64% male; M = 23.59, SD = 3.19) completed validated measures of insecure adult attachment, emotion dysregulation, dissociative experiences, and problematic gaming. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test a parallel mediation model, controlling for average gaming time. Both attachment anxiety and avoidance were positively associated with emotion dysregulation and dissociative experiences, with stronger effects for attachment anxiety. Moreover, emotion dysregulation and dissociative experiences mediated the relationship between insecure adult attachment and problematic gaming. The results suggest that insecure adult attachment may contribute to problematic gaming through affective and dissociative mechanisms. Enhancing emotional regulation, addressing dissociative coping, and fostering secure bonds may be effective targets for the prevention and treatment of problematic gaming.
Attachment, Emotion Dysregulation, Dissociative Experiences, and Problematic Gaming Among Young Adult Gamers
Marchetti D.
Primo
;D'Ettorre M.;Verrocchio M. C.;
2026-01-01
Abstract
Problematic gaming refers to an excessive pattern of video game use characterized by difficulties in self-regulation and interpersonal functioning. According to attachment theory, insecure attachment may lead individuals to engage in gaming as a coping strategy for emotional distress and unmet relational needs. Although both emotion dysregulation and dissociative experiences have been linked to insecure adult attachment and problematic gaming, the relationships between each of these variables have not yet been tested. This study aimed to investigate whether emotion dysregulation and dissociative experiences mediate the association between insecure adult attachment and problematic gaming among young adult gamers. A total of 692 Italian young adults (68.64% male; M = 23.59, SD = 3.19) completed validated measures of insecure adult attachment, emotion dysregulation, dissociative experiences, and problematic gaming. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test a parallel mediation model, controlling for average gaming time. Both attachment anxiety and avoidance were positively associated with emotion dysregulation and dissociative experiences, with stronger effects for attachment anxiety. Moreover, emotion dysregulation and dissociative experiences mediated the relationship between insecure adult attachment and problematic gaming. The results suggest that insecure adult attachment may contribute to problematic gaming through affective and dissociative mechanisms. Enhancing emotional regulation, addressing dissociative coping, and fostering secure bonds may be effective targets for the prevention and treatment of problematic gaming.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
