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Bullying

Gaming Disorder and Bullying in Adolescents: New Study Sheds Light on Gender Differences

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research conducted at ELTE Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, Hungary has explored the relationship between gaming disorder (GD) and bullying in adolescents, revealing significant gender differences in gaming disorder typologies and symptom severity. The study, published in Psychiatry Research, analyzed data from two representative samples of Hungarian adolescents from the 2018 and 2022 waves of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. The researchers identified latent classes of GD symptom severity separately among female and male adolescents, highlighting the importance of interpersonal factors in GD.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study identified two to three latent classes of GD symptom severity for both genders, representing low-, moderate-, and high-risk levels for GD.
  • Membership in classes with more severe GD symptoms was consistently linked to higher problematic social media use, psychosomatic symptoms, bullying involvement, and lower social support across both genders.
  • The identified classes revealed similar symptom profiles between females and males, while moderate-risk and high-risk classes were more prevalent among males.
  • The findings suggest a narrowing gender gap in GD risk, with similar patterns observed in the intra- and interpersonal correlates of moderate- and high-risk classes across genders.
  • A notable correlation was found between GD risk and problematic social media use and bullying.
  • The study used data from two representative samples of Hungarian adolescents from the 2018 and 2022 waves of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, totaling 6720 participants.
  • The researchers found that adolescents in the high-risk classes for GD had higher rates of psychosomatic symptoms, bullying involvement, and problematic social media use.
  • The study's results suggest that GD is a significant concern for both female and male adolescents, with a notable correlation between GD risk and social media use.
  • The identified latent classes provide insight into the symptom profiles and etiology of GD among adolescents.

Statistics:

  • The study involved a total of 6720 participants from two representative samples of Hungarian adolescents from the 2018 and 2022 waves of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study.
  • 3170 participants were in the 2018 cohort, and 3550 participants were in the 2022 cohort.
  • The study used self-reported questionnaires to assess GD symptom severity, perceived support, involvement in school bullying and cyberbullying, life satisfaction, psychosomatic symptoms, and problematic social media use.
  • Membership in classes with more severe GD symptoms was consistently linked to higher problematic social media use, psychosomatic symptoms, bullying involvement, and lower social support across both genders.
  • The identified classes revealed similar symptom profiles between females and males, with moderate-risk and high-risk classes more prevalent among males.

Sources:

  • Latent classes of gaming disorder symptoms by gender: associations with problematic social media use, psychosomatic symptoms, bullying, and social support in adolescents. Psychiatry Research, 2025;354:116776.
  • ELTE Eotvos Lorand University, Institute of Psychology, Budapest, Hungary.
  • Elsevier Ireland Ltd, Elsevier House, Brookvale Plaza, East Park Shannon, Co, Clare, 00000, Ireland.

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