The association between a stress-is-enhancing mindset and internet gaming disorder was mediated by behavioral disengagement among medical undergraduate students: a multi-center survey in China

Abstract Background The stress-is-enhancing mindset has beneficial effects on physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. However, its association with internet gaming disorder (IGD) had not been investigated. By integrating stress mindset into the cognitive evaluation process of commonly use...

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Main Authors: Haiyan Xiang, Lijing Liu, Xin Su, Ying Yang, Haifeng Xue, Bo Liu, Yanling Tu, Ruxin Wang, Xinxin Mo, Hongye Luo, Lijuan Li, Xianzhang Tian, Yanjie Yang, Zhengxue Qiao, Liping Li, Tong Xie, Siman Li, Joseph T. F. Lau, Yanqiu Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06910-4
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author Haiyan Xiang
Lijing Liu
Xin Su
Ying Yang
Haifeng Xue
Bo Liu
Yanling Tu
Ruxin Wang
Xinxin Mo
Hongye Luo
Lijuan Li
Xianzhang Tian
Yanjie Yang
Zhengxue Qiao
Liping Li
Tong Xie
Siman Li
Joseph T. F. Lau
Yanqiu Yu
author_facet Haiyan Xiang
Lijing Liu
Xin Su
Ying Yang
Haifeng Xue
Bo Liu
Yanling Tu
Ruxin Wang
Xinxin Mo
Hongye Luo
Lijuan Li
Xianzhang Tian
Yanjie Yang
Zhengxue Qiao
Liping Li
Tong Xie
Siman Li
Joseph T. F. Lau
Yanqiu Yu
author_sort Haiyan Xiang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The stress-is-enhancing mindset has beneficial effects on physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. However, its association with internet gaming disorder (IGD) had not been investigated. By integrating stress mindset into the cognitive evaluation process of commonly used stress coping theories, this study examined the association between stress mindset and IGD and explored relevant mediation mechanisms via behavioral disengagement. The gender differences in the above associations and mediations were also explored. Methods An online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical undergraduate students from seven cities (Baotou, Qiqihar, Harbin, Wenzhou, Guangxi, Dali, and Shantou) in China from December 2023 to February 2024. The final sample size was 8,552 (a mean response rate of 71.0%). The DSM-5 IGD Checklist, the Stress Mindset Measure-General, and the behavioral disengagement subscale of Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory were used to assess IGD, stress mindset, behavioral disengagement, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to test the significance and direction of the determinants of IGD. Path analysis was performed to examine the mediation mechanisms and the moderation effect of gender. All these analyses were adjusted for background factors. Results Of all participants, the prevalence of IGD was 7.5%, and males had significantly higher prevalence than females (14.7% versus 7.4%, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses found that the stress-is-enhancing mindset was negatively associated with IGD (ORa = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.92 ~ 0.97) while behavioral disengagement was positively associated with IGD (ORa = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.57 ~ 1.76). Path analysis found that behavioral disengagement fully mediated the association between stress mindset and IGD, i.e., the stress-is-enhancing mindset was negatively associated with behavioral disengagement, which in turn was positively associated with IGD. However, gender did not significantly moderate the associations between stress mindset and behavioral disengagement, between behavioral disengagement and IGD, and between stress mindset and IGD. Conclusions This study observed the relatively high prevalence of IGD among Chinese medical undergraduate students. It also revealed that the stress-is-enhancing mindset was potentially protective against IGD, and behavioral disengagement might fully explain such a beneficial effect. Future longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to verify and extend these findings.
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spelling doaj-art-bfb67e5d82604274bfb1aa6eed1ddfb62025-08-20T01:51:38ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2025-05-0125111210.1186/s12888-025-06910-4The association between a stress-is-enhancing mindset and internet gaming disorder was mediated by behavioral disengagement among medical undergraduate students: a multi-center survey in ChinaHaiyan Xiang0Lijing Liu1Xin Su2Ying Yang3Haifeng Xue4Bo Liu5Yanling Tu6Ruxin Wang7Xinxin Mo8Hongye Luo9Lijuan Li10Xianzhang Tian11Yanjie Yang12Zhengxue Qiao13Liping Li14Tong Xie15Siman Li16Joseph T. F. Lau17Yanqiu Yu18School of Public Health, Fudan UniversitySchool of Public Health, Fudan UniversitySchool of Public Health, Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science & TechnologyDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science & TechnologySchool of Public Health, Qiqihar Medical UniversityThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical UniversitySchool of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical UniversitySchool of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical UniversityResearch Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Medical UniversityInformation and Management School, Guangxi Medical UniversitySchool of Public Health, Dali UniversityDaily University Health Science CenterPsychology and Health Management Center, Harbin Medical UniversityPsychology and Health Management Center, Harbin Medical UniversityShantou University Medical CollegeShantou University Medical CollegeSchool of Public Health, Fudan UniversitySchool of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical UniversitySchool of Public Health, Fudan UniversityAbstract Background The stress-is-enhancing mindset has beneficial effects on physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. However, its association with internet gaming disorder (IGD) had not been investigated. By integrating stress mindset into the cognitive evaluation process of commonly used stress coping theories, this study examined the association between stress mindset and IGD and explored relevant mediation mechanisms via behavioral disengagement. The gender differences in the above associations and mediations were also explored. Methods An online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical undergraduate students from seven cities (Baotou, Qiqihar, Harbin, Wenzhou, Guangxi, Dali, and Shantou) in China from December 2023 to February 2024. The final sample size was 8,552 (a mean response rate of 71.0%). The DSM-5 IGD Checklist, the Stress Mindset Measure-General, and the behavioral disengagement subscale of Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory were used to assess IGD, stress mindset, behavioral disengagement, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to test the significance and direction of the determinants of IGD. Path analysis was performed to examine the mediation mechanisms and the moderation effect of gender. All these analyses were adjusted for background factors. Results Of all participants, the prevalence of IGD was 7.5%, and males had significantly higher prevalence than females (14.7% versus 7.4%, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses found that the stress-is-enhancing mindset was negatively associated with IGD (ORa = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.92 ~ 0.97) while behavioral disengagement was positively associated with IGD (ORa = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.57 ~ 1.76). Path analysis found that behavioral disengagement fully mediated the association between stress mindset and IGD, i.e., the stress-is-enhancing mindset was negatively associated with behavioral disengagement, which in turn was positively associated with IGD. However, gender did not significantly moderate the associations between stress mindset and behavioral disengagement, between behavioral disengagement and IGD, and between stress mindset and IGD. Conclusions This study observed the relatively high prevalence of IGD among Chinese medical undergraduate students. It also revealed that the stress-is-enhancing mindset was potentially protective against IGD, and behavioral disengagement might fully explain such a beneficial effect. Future longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to verify and extend these findings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06910-4Stress mindsetInternet gaming disorderAvoidant copingMedical studentsChina
spellingShingle Haiyan Xiang
Lijing Liu
Xin Su
Ying Yang
Haifeng Xue
Bo Liu
Yanling Tu
Ruxin Wang
Xinxin Mo
Hongye Luo
Lijuan Li
Xianzhang Tian
Yanjie Yang
Zhengxue Qiao
Liping Li
Tong Xie
Siman Li
Joseph T. F. Lau
Yanqiu Yu
The association between a stress-is-enhancing mindset and internet gaming disorder was mediated by behavioral disengagement among medical undergraduate students: a multi-center survey in China
BMC Psychiatry
Stress mindset
Internet gaming disorder
Avoidant coping
Medical students
China
title The association between a stress-is-enhancing mindset and internet gaming disorder was mediated by behavioral disengagement among medical undergraduate students: a multi-center survey in China
title_full The association between a stress-is-enhancing mindset and internet gaming disorder was mediated by behavioral disengagement among medical undergraduate students: a multi-center survey in China
title_fullStr The association between a stress-is-enhancing mindset and internet gaming disorder was mediated by behavioral disengagement among medical undergraduate students: a multi-center survey in China
title_full_unstemmed The association between a stress-is-enhancing mindset and internet gaming disorder was mediated by behavioral disengagement among medical undergraduate students: a multi-center survey in China
title_short The association between a stress-is-enhancing mindset and internet gaming disorder was mediated by behavioral disengagement among medical undergraduate students: a multi-center survey in China
title_sort association between a stress is enhancing mindset and internet gaming disorder was mediated by behavioral disengagement among medical undergraduate students a multi center survey in china
topic Stress mindset
Internet gaming disorder
Avoidant coping
Medical students
China
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06910-4
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