The I-PACE model is the main theory guiding this study. The researchers want to understand how mental health problems and gaming disorder (GD) may be connected over time.
They are exploring two possible explanations:
- Mental health problems come first: These problems may increase the chance that a teenager develops GD.
- Problem gaming comes first: Gaming problems may be followed by changes in mental health.
To make the comparison fairer, the researchers also consider other factors that could be related to GD, such as biological and psychological factors, personality traits, and upsetting thoughts about social situations.
They use statistical methods to look at how these factors and GD change over time. Finally, they hope the results will help professionals choose what to focus on when supporting teenagers who may be at risk for GD. Finding the best focus early may improve treatment.