Investigation of the relatonship between digital game addiction , peer relationships, leisure time activity level in early adolesence

Since individuals in early adolescence do not have adult responsibilities yet, they can devote more time to leisure activities. Leisure time, where peers are involved or influenced, is optionally spent playing digital games. Digital game addiction, which is likely to be one of the most effective addictions of our age, is a dangerous situation where individuals cannot stop playing games and come to the point of breaking away from real life. In the context of these relations, our study aimed to measure the level of relations between digital game addiction, peer relations and leisure activity level in early adolescence. The sample of the research; It consists of 413 students selected from Koç Middle School 6th and 8th grade students for the 2021-2022 academic year using simple random sampling method on a voluntary basis. Data; It was obtained by combining the scales of "digital game addiction", "peer relations" and "leisure activity level" with demographic questions. By establishing a relational scanning model, the data were evaluated with the SPSS 22 package program. In the findings obtained, while the level of leisure activity did not differ significantly according to gender, a difference was determined in favor of men in digital game addiction. In peer relations, there was a significant difference in the subdimensions of protection, intimacy and help in favor of girls. No significant difference was found between leisure time activity level and digital game addiction. Leisure activity level with age; A negative relationship was established between digital game addiction and peer relations. While leisure time activity level affects peer relations positively and significantly; It has been determined that there is no significant relationship between leisure time, peer relations and digital addiction. Many results obtained from the variables were interpreted by comparing them with other studies. Keywords: Early Adolescence, Peer Relationships, Digital Game Addiction, Leisure Time