Effect of Violent E-Gaming on Sleep Quality and Impulsivity among University Students: Role of Emotional Regulation as Mediator

Authors

  • Dr. Mussarat Jabeen Khan Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
  • Ommema Sabahat Student, Department of Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
  • Filza Saleem Student, Department of Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
  • Arooba Javed Student, Department of Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
  • Fiza Eman Student, Department of Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62997/psi.2025a-41030

Keywords:

Game Addiction, Sleep Quality, Impulsivity, Emotional Regulation

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the effect of violent e-gaming on sleep quality and impulsivity among university students, with emotional regulation as a mediator. Using a snowball sampling technique, data were collected from 100 university students (male=50 and females=50) aged 19-23 years with game type Pubg (n=58) are higher in number as compared to others (n=42). Participants completed the Game Addiction Scale, Sleep Quality Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale. The results of correlation analysis revealed that gaming addiction was negatively correlated with emotional regulation and sleep quality, while emotional regulation was positively correlated with sleep quality(p<0.01). Impulsivity demonstrated weak positive, yet non-significant, associations with gaming addiction, emotional regulation, and sleep quality. Linear regression analysis showed that gaming addiction significantly predicted emotional regulation, impulsivity, and sleep quality. Furthermore, emotional regulation mediated the relationships between gaming addiction, impulsivity, and sleep quality. The t-test analysis indicated no significant gender differences in gaming addiction, emotional regulation, sleep quality, or impulsivity. This research contributes to understanding the psychological impacts of violent e-gaming and underscores the importance of emotional regulation in mitigating its negative effects.

Author Biography

  • Dr. Mussarat Jabeen Khan, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

    Corresponding Author: mussarat.jabeen@iiu.edu.pk

References

Bjureberg, J., Ljótsson, B., Tull, M. T., Hedman, E., Sahlin, H., Lundh, L., Bjärehed, J., DiLillo, D., Messman-Moore, T., Gumpert, C. H., & Gratz, K. L. (2015). Development and validation of a brief version of the difficulties in emotion regulation scale: the DERS-16. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 38(2), 284–296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-015-9514-x

Brunetti, V. C., O’Loughlin, E. K., O’Loughlin, J., Constantin, E., & Pigeon, É. (2016). Screen and nonscreen sedentary behavior and sleep in adolescents. Sleep Health, 2(4), 335–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2016.09.004

Chen, S., Wei, M., Wang, X., Liao, J., Li, J., & Liu, Y. (2024). Competitive video game exposure increases aggression through impulsivity in Chinese adolescents: Evidence from a Multi-Method study. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 53(8), 1861–1874. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-024-01973-0

Gross, J. J., & Jazaieri, H. (2014). Emotion, emotion regulation, and psychopathology. Clinical Psychological Science, 2(4), 387–401. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702614536164

Kapitány-Fövény, M., Urbán, R., Varga, G., Potenza, M. N., Griffiths, M. D., Szekely, A., Paksi, B., Kun, B., Farkas, J., Kökönyei, G., & Demetrovics, Z. (2020). The 21-item Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Revised (BIS-R-21): An alternative three-factor model. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 9(2), 225–246. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2020.00030

Lam, L. T. (2014). Internet gaming Addiction, problematic use of the internet, and sleep Problems: A Systematic review. Current Psychiatry Reports, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-014-0444-1

Lemmens, J. S., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2009). Development and validation of a game addiction scale for adolescents. Media psychology, 12(1), 77-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213260802669458

Şalvarlı, Ş. İ., & Griffiths, M. D. (2019). The Association Between Internet Gaming Disorder and Impulsivity: A Systematic Review of literature. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20(1), 92–118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00126-w

Shahid, A., Wilkinson, K., Marcu, S., & Shapiro, C. M. (2011). Sleep Quality Scale (SQS). In Springer eBooks (pp. 345–350). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9893-4_85

Von Salisch, M., Vogelgesang, J., Kristen, A., & Oppl, C. (2011). Preference for Violent Electronic Games and Aggressive Behavior among Children: The Beginning of the Downward Spiral? Media Psychology, 14(3), 233–258. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2011.596468

Wang, C., Chan, C. L. W., Mak, K., Ho, S., Wong, P. W. C., & Ho, R. T. H. (2014). Prevalence and Correlates of Video and Internet Gaming Addiction among Hong Kong Adolescents: A Pilot Study. The Scientific World JOURNAL, 2014, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/874648

Wu, Y., Liu, F., Chan, K. Q., Wang, N., Zhao, S., Sun, X., Shen, W., & Wang, Z. (2022). Childhood psychological maltreatment and internet gaming addiction in Chinese adolescents: Mediation roles of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and psychosocial problems. Child Abuse & Neglect, 129, 105669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105669

Yao, M., Zhou, Y., Li, J., & Gao, X. (2019). Violent video games exposure and aggression: The role of moral disengagement, anger, hostility, and disinhibition. Aggressive Behavior, 45(6), 662–670. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21860

You, S., Kim, E., & No, U. (2014). Impact of violent video games on the social behaviors of adolescents: The mediating role of emotional competence. School Psychology International, 36(1), 94–111. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034314562921

Zhai, Z. W., Hoff, R. A., Howell, J. C., Wampler, J., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza, M. N. (2019). Differences in associations between problematic video-gaming, video-gaming duration, and weapon-related and physically violent behaviors in adolescents. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 121, 47–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.11.005

Downloads

Published

2025-03-30

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Khan, M. J., Sabahat, O., Saleem, F., Javed, A., & Eman, F. (2025). Effect of Violent E-Gaming on Sleep Quality and Impulsivity among University Students: Role of Emotional Regulation as Mediator. ProScholar Insights, 4(1), 258-265. https://doi.org/10.62997/psi.2025a-41030