INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS, AND SELF CONTROL ON ONLINE GAMING ADDICTION TENDENCY AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, LAGOS STATE
Abstract
Online gaming addiction is becoming rampart among students, leading to a growing concern in universities. Hypothetically, negative impacts are reflective in academic performance, social relationships, and psychological well-being, attracting research interest. This study investigated the influence of personality traits and self-control on online gaming addiction, with a view to understanding the predictive power. Cross-sectional design was employed, convenience sampling was used to select 395 undergraduate students of Lagos State University, Lagos. Data were collected using three validated psychological instruments and theoretical framework: Big Five Personality Inventory by Robert McCrae and Paul Costa, Brief Self-Control Scale by Gottfredson Hirschi, and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale. Data were subjected to statistical analyses, using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26. Extraversion (β = .07 p < .05), agreeableness (β = -.21, p < .05), conscientiousness (β = -.02, p < .01), and neuroticism (β = .20, p < .05) significantly predicted online gaming addiction. Openness to experience showed no significant effect (β = -.01, p > .05). Self-control (β = -.31, p < .01) was found to be a strong negative predictor of online gaming addiction. Overall regression model was significant (F (6,375) = 18.42, p < .01), explaining 22% of the variance in online gaming addiction. These findings reinforce that specific personality traits, alongside self-control, play influence students’ susceptibility to online gaming addiction, requiring interventions targeted at personality-related vulnerabilities and enhanced self-control to mitigate the risks of online gaming addiction among undergraduates.
Keywords: Personality traits, Self-control, Online gaming addiction
Word count: 251
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