The mediator role of alexythymia in the relationship between the level of online gaming addiction and the dark triad in individuals among the age of 18-25

In this study, the mediating role of alexithymia in the relationship between online gaming addiction levels of individuals aged 18-25 and the dark triad was examined. 487 participants participated in the study, but the data of 400 participants were analyzed in line with the exclusion criteria. "Demographic Information Form", "Internet Gaming Disorder Scale Short Form (IGSD9-SF)", "Dark Triad Personality Scale" and "Toronto Alexithymia Scale" were applied to the participants. IBM SPSS 25 statistical program was used to analyze the data. In the analyzes carried out accordingly, Pearson Correlation, Independent Samples T Test, ANOVA and Brown-Forsythe tests were applied. Pearson Correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between the scales, and Multiple Linear Regression analysis was performed by adding independent variables that had a significant relationship with IGSD to the model. Finally, AMOS program was used for mediation analysis. As a result of the analyses, a positive significant relationship was found between the average daily gaming time and online gaming addiction and the dark triad. While there was a significant positive relationship between the average daily gaming time and the Dark Triad Personality Trait sub-dimensions of Machiavellianism and Psychopathy, no significant relationship was found with Narcissism. Alexithymia and Dark Triad Personality Traits have been found to have a significant positive relationship with online gaming addiction. In addition to all these, alexithymia was found to have a partial mediating role in the relationship between online gaming addiction levels and the dark triad. The findings were discussed and suggestions for further research and practice were presented.