Background: Recent study found that the internet gaming addiction were related with negative consequences among adolescents, for example poor school performance, poor sleep, poor interpersonal relationship, depression and anxiety. In Taiwan, the prevalence for internet gaming addiction was 12.1% among junior high school students. The previous study found that depression was one of important antecedent factors, but results were not consistent, which might be related to gender difference. The current study hypothesized that there would be a gender difference in the moderating roles of peer influence and parental influence in the effects of depression on internet gaming addiction among adolescents.
Methods: The longitudinal design was conducted. We tested the hypothesis with a four-month longitudinal design in sample of 1261 junior high school students. Participants completed the Internet Gaming Addiction Scale, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised Scale, Peer Influence for IGA, and Parental Influence for IGA. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS version 20.0, and the PROCESS was used to exam the hypothesized model.
Results: Results showed that：
1. All sample
After controlling the T1 internet gaming addiction, the T1 peer influence could moderate the effect on T1 depression to T2 internet gaming addiction. T1 depression effected on T2 internet gaming addiction only when T1 peer influence at high level.
2. Boy group
After controlling the T1 internet gaming addiction, the T1 peer influence and T1 parental influence could not moderate the effect on T1 depression to T2 internet gaming addiction.
3. Girl group
After controlling the T1 internet gaming addiction, the T1 parental influence could moderate the effect on T1 depression effected on T2 internet gaming. T1 depression effected on T2 internet gaming addiction only in students with low T1 parental influence.
Conclusions: We found a gender difference in the moderating roles of peer influence and parental influence in the effects of depression on internet gaming addiction among adolescents. The depression effected on internet gaming addiction only in female students with low T1 parental influence. Further study could examine whether the parenting style and family relationship will influence the parental influence of internet gaming addiction. It may help to develop the strategy for reducing the risk of internet gaming addiction among adolescents.
