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The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Game Addiction: Mediating Role of Psychological Well-Being

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Bu Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

4 Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Flensburg, Flensburg, Germany

5 School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

6 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Background: Excessive use of games, especially among children and adolescents, can lead to harmful consequences, including game addiction. Thus, it is important to understand the psychological mechanisms underlying game addiction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and game addiction, with the mediating role of psychological well-being.
Methods: This study comprised a cross-sectional survey, and the statistical population included all the secondary school students of Alborz city (Iran). A sample of 374 participants was selected using a multistage cluster sampling design. The measures included the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale (RPWBS-18/2002), the Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS-16/2002), and the Game Addiction Scale (GAS-7/2007).
Results: The findings indicated that the research model has a good fit with the data. Also, regarding direct relationships, emotional intelligence had a negative and significant relationship with game addiction (p < 0.01), and a positive and significant relationship with psychological well-being (p < 0.01). The relationship between psychological well-being and game addiction was negative and significant (p < 0.01). In addition, regarding indirect relationships, emotional intelligence had a strong, negative and significant relationship with game addiction through psychological well-being (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Emotional intelligence plays a direct and indirect (through well-being) role in preventing game addiction. Therefore, it can act as a buffer, enabling adolescents to spend the right amount of energy and time on the game, enjoying its benefits while being protected from its adverse effects. Also, the role of emotional intelligence in psychological well-being is dramatic.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Available Online from 06 December 2025
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