Examination of the relationships between internet gaming disorder and playing MOBA games, impulsivity, cognitive flexibility skills, emotional reactivity skills

This study aimed to examine the relationships between Internet gaming disorder symptom severity and impulsivity, cognitive flexibility and emotional reactivity levels of individuals aged between 15-45. This study is a correlational study conducted with a cross-sectional research design in the quantitative research method. The sample of this study consists of 238 participants, 122 (51%) female and 116 (49%) male. Data were collected with measurement tools including sociodemographic form Data were collected through measurement tools including the Participant Information Form showing the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale Short Form (IGDS9-SF), Barratt Impulsivity Scale Short Form (BIS11-SF), Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), and Emotional Reactivity Scale. Internet gaming disorder is positively associated with impulsivity, while it is negatively associated with cognitive flexibility. However, no statistically significant difference was obtained with emotional reactivity. It was determined that cognitive flexibility is negatively associated with impulsivity and emotional reactivity and there is a positive relationship between impulsivity and emotional reactivity. Emotional reactivity and impulsivity variables do not significantly predict internet gaming disorder levels. Cognitive flexibility, on the other hand, negatively predicts internet gaming disorder. However, participants who play MOBA games predict higher levels of internet gaming disorder. MOBA gamers have higher levels of internet gaming disorder. On the other hand, it was determined that cognitive flexibility, impulsivity and emotional reactivity variables did not differ significantly according to playing MOBA games. It was obtained that males, MOBA players and those who play games for 4-6 hours a day have statistically higher internet gaming disorder averages. However, internet gaming disorder levels do not differ significantly according to age range, education level, marital status, income and occupation variables. The findings were discussed in the light of literature and some suggestions were made.