Internet Gaming, Analytical Competence and Positive Youth Development in Early Adolescents

Abstract

The aim of current research was to examine the relationship between internet gaming, analytical competence, and positive youth development among early adolescents. It was hypothesized that there will be a positive relationship between internet gaming, analytical competence, and positive youth development among early adolescents and that internet gaming and analytical competence will positively predict positive youth development among early adolescents. A correlational research design with a purposive sample of 303 students including boys=181, and girls=122, with the age range of 10-14 years (M=12.4, SD=1.33) were recruited from different schools of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The internet gaming disorder test IGDT (Hall et al., 2013), problem solving inventory PSI (Heppner & Peterson, 1982) and positive youth development inventory PYDI (Arnold et al., 2012) were used to measure the constructs along with the demographic information sheet and informed consent. The results of pearson product moment correlation showed significant positive correlation between internet gaming, analytical competence, and positive youth development. The results of hierarchal multiple linear regression found internet gaming and analytical competence to be a significant positive predictor of positive youth development. The results of independent sample t test showed non-significant differences of positive youth development among boys and girls of public and private sector of schools. This study highlights the importance of considering the dynamic relationship between internet gaming, analytical competence, and positive youth development and the role internet gaming plays in fostering analytical competence and positive youth development in early adolescents