Adolescent Gaming and the Adolescent-Parent Relationship over time - The Mediating Role of Quality of Communication about Gaming and Arguments between Adolescents and Parents

Abstract

Since gaming has become increasingly popular, insight in its effects is essential. This paper aims to examine the relationship between adolescent gaming behavior and the adolescent-parent relationship and its underlying mechanisms, in this case the quality of communication about gaming and the arguments between adolescents and their parents. To answer the research questions, a part of the Digital Youth Project of the University of Utrecht was used. A two-wave longitudinal sample of 11- to 15-year-olds (N = 299) filled in annual online measurements in class. Gaming behavior was measured through items about gaming frequency. The relationship between adolescents and parents were measured through the Family Environment Scale. The quality of gaming-related communication was measured through three items about the Quality of Communication about gaming. Arguments between adolescents and parents was measured through one item from the Family Environment Scale. Regression analysis showed that gaming behavior was linked to a weaker relationship between adolescents and parents. Regression analyses also showed that adolescent gaming behavior did not significantly predict the quality of communication about gaming and arguments between adolescents and parents. Quality of communication about gaming and arguments between adolescents and parents were also not significant predictors for the adolescent-parent relationship. Therefore, the quality of communication about gaming as well as arguments between adolescents and parents were no mediators in the relationship between adolescent gaming behavior and the adolescent-parent relationship. Despite the fact that adolescent gaming behavior and the adolescent-parent relationship are related, it is not yet clear what this relationship looks like in terms of other factors that come into play.