162379 20251017144654.0 doi 10.1002/jad.70018 sideral 144836 ART-2025-144836 eng Fernández-Catalán, Guillem Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0009-0008-6480-5867 The Mediation Role of Emotional Symptoms Between Impulsivity Traits and Problematic Gaming Behavior in Adolescents 2025 Access copy available to the general public Unrestricted Introduction Gaming is a global activity of which the largest number of players are adolescents. Although some studies have shown the risks of gaming, very little is known about the association between the proposed video game addiction and the temperamental traits or behavioral (internalizing/externalizing) problems that lead adolescents to problematic gaming. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a model that explains the mediation effect of I/E problems on the effect of impulsivity traits on adolescents' gaming addiction. Methods: This cross‐sectional study involved 850 Spanish adolescents (53.88% girls) aged 15–17 (M = 15.59, SD = 0.69) who completed self‐report measures through an online survey. Problematic gaming was assessed using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale‐Short Form. Impulsivity was measured through the Short version of the UPPS‐P Impulsive Behavior Scale, and internalizing/externalizing problems were evaluated using The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Mediational path analysis was performed to assess the main objective. Results: Problematic gaming behavior was observed among adolescents; however, only 0.12% met the diagnostic criteria for gaming addiction. Direct effects on gaming were obtained for both specific internalizing/externalizing problems (emotional/conduct problems) and impulsivity traits (lack of perseverance/general urgency). Main finding was that lower levels of general urgency, but not of any other impulsivity trait, were associated with higher levels of emotional symptoms that, in turn, were positively associated with higher levels of problematic gaming behavior. Conclusion: This study generally advances our understanding of problematic gaming behavior and its relation with temperamental traits and behavioral problems in adolescence. info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess by-nc-nd https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.es info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Modrego-Alarcón, Marta Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0003-1575-7738 Sánchez-Pérez, Noelia Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-6112-9639 Alcaraz-Iborra, Manuel Universidad de Zaragoza 4001 215 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Ciencias de la Educación Área Didáctica y Organiz. Esc. 4009 735 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Psicología y Sociología Área Psicolog.Evolut.Educac (2025), [10 pp.] J. adolesc. JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENCE 0140-1971 393192 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/162379/files/texto_completo.pdf Versión publicada 2208964 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/162379/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon icon Versión publicada oai:zaguan.unizar.es:162379 articulos driver 2025-10-17-14:37:35 ARTICLE