Goagoses, N.; Schüürmann, A.; Pöchmüller, V. & Hillenbrand, C. (2025). Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Problematic Video Gaming During Adolescence, Zeitschrift für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie, https://doi.org/10.1026/0049-8637/a000303

Cognitive emotion regulation and problematic video gaming during adolescence

Abstract: Given the significant negative consequences of problematic video gaming in adolescents, it is crucial to identify risk factors and protective factors in order to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies. The aim of the current study was to investigate the associations between different adaptive and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and both prolonged and problematic video game playing among adolescents in Germany. 626 adolescents in grades 5 - 10 completed the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and provided information on playing time and symptoms of problematic gaming. Catastrophising and acceptance were positively associated with prolonged play, while refocusing on planning was negatively associated. The maladaptive emotion regulation strategies rumination and blaming others were positively associated with problem gambling, while the adaptive strategy positive reappraisal was negatively associated. The results highlight the role of emotion regulation in problem gambling and pave the way for future studies focussing on developmental mechanisms as well as insights into prevention and intervention measures.