• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.24 no.2 s.80
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• pp.209-219
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative effect of individual-, parents-, and game-related variables on game addiction. Totally, 1065 10 to 18-year-olds participated and completed questionnaires. Male students had more tendency to game addition than female students. No difference in the level of addiction, however, was appeared among elementary, junior-high, and high school groups, which means that many young children are already Same-addicted. More severely addicted children and adolescents showed higher level of impulsivity, more difficulties in communication with their parents, and more expectation of psychological gratification and interpersonal relationship through the internet games. The relative effects of these independent variables to game addiction were different among gender*school groups. Firstly, impulsivity was significant only in boys of elementary group. Secondly, for the junior-high group, communication with father and mother was important to boys and girls, repectively. Lastly, expected gratification from gaming itself mainly predicted high school students' game addiction, irrespective of gender. The findings of this study suggest that earlier intervention to young garners should be carried out. It is also indicated that parents' and teachers' role for guidance of the internet games would be different with children's gender and developmental stages.