IMBSLOT  As we know new type of addictive berhaviors and distinct from traditional internet game addiction on desktop computers, mobile game addiction has attracted researchers attention due to its possible negative effects on mental health issues. However, very few studies have particulary eximined the relationship between mobile game and social axiety, depression, and loneliness among adolescents. A furher analysis on gender difference in the paths from mobile game addiction to thses mental health outcomes was examined, and results revealed that male adolescents tend to report social anxiety when they use mobile game addictively. We also discussed limitations implications for mental health practice.

Backround Games

With the fast development a game mobile technology, many funcitions of desktop game have been transferred to mobile devices like apple and smarthphone, which is especially the case for game applications. Mobile video games refer to games played by either single or multi playes via mobile. These games are particularly popular when they can be download for free ( Freemium Games )
– The last China internet network information center’s ( CNNIC ) report revealed that the growth rate of mobile online games has reached 9,6% and adolescents are the main user group
– In comparison with the most segments of society, adolescents are more vulnerable to internet-related addiction because of their psychological and developmental characteristics, the easy access to internet with a portable device games, and the positive expectation of mobile gaming
– It has been demonstrated that video games online addicts suffered poorer mental health and cognitive functioning, and increased emotional difficulties, such as enhaced depression and axiety as well as mote social isolation

Despite the fact, relatively few studies examined imbslot the relationship between mobile game addiction and mental health outcomes. This is because, so far, no measurement especially designed for mobile addiction has been developed. In literature, problematic mobile video gaming has been defined as a phenomenon in which users strongly on mobile games and cannot help playing them repeatedly over a comparatively long period. Previous studies of internet gaming disorder ( IGD ) have mainly focused on traditional online gaming addiction based on a desktop computer games. However, recent research has sugested that there were only moderated correlations between the diffrent form of internet addiction. In addition, although mobile gaming addiction has similarity with traditional desktop computer online gaming addiction, there are still obvious differences.

Theoretical Framework

Mobile Games Addiction and Depression

Internet game addiction is chararterized by cognitive and emotional deficits games. Previous studies have reported the couccurrence of internet addition and depression. In addition a longitudinal study found that internet game addition/depression severity at an earlier time, which indicated that a possible bidirectional relationship existed between online gamer’s depression symptoms and addiction games. People cope with their emotional distress by playingg online game, but the excessive use of online games for a ling time may separate indviduals from real-time relationship, because severer mental health problem, such as depression. Therefore in this study we would expect a positive relationship between game addition and depression.

Social Anxiety

Social anxiety, which is the most common anxiety disorder in adolescence, is the state of tension or discomfort experienced by individuals in social situations. The investigation on the potentional effects of mobile game addiction and adolescence social anxiety is of importance considering that approximately one third of adolescents meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder. Some literature indicates that internet addiction, smartphone addiction, and palying to much online games addciction were all associated with an individuals social anxiety.