An examination of the role of father on adolescents' online gaming addiction

Gaining a better understanding of the role of father figure, which is highly associated with the development of gaming addiction among adolescents, is of crucial importance for developing advanced treatment and prevention programs targeting those adolescents. Accordingly, the aim of the study examine how fathers of adolescents with online gaming addiction, are perceived within the family and the father-child relationship. Within the scope of the research, 31 people between the ages of 12-18 (23 boys, 8 girls) were interviewed and the "Socio-demographic Characteristics and Playing Activity Information Form" and "Internet Gaming Disorder Disorder Scale" were applied. The data obtained from the interviews were analysed using narrative analysis. The findings indicate that certain paternal practices can have an impact on the development of internet gaming addiction. The traditional, distant and authoritative father figures can lead to lack of communication between father and child which might cause adolescents to engage in excessive online activities. The results revealed that fathers' insufficiency in the current parenting role had a significant effect on the formation of existing problems of online game addicted adolescents. Keywords: online gaming addiction, internet gaming disorder, fatherhood, paternal attitude