Exploring latent profiles of digital game addiction, socio-emotional well-being, and resilience in Turkish preschoolers

Kaya U. U., Koyuncu M. S., Arabaci M., Karaca N. H., Uzun H.

ACTA PSYCHOLOGICA, cilt.261, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 261
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105788
  • Dergi Adı: ACTA PSYCHOLOGICA
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Periodicals Index Online, Linguistic Bibliography, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: Digital gaming is increasingly common in early childhood, raising concerns about its effects on children's emotional and social development. Socio-emotional well-being (SEW) and psychological resilience (PR) are critical for helping children navigate challenges, yet their interaction with digital game addiction remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining patterns of digital game addiction in relation to SEW and PR among Turkish preschoolers. Method: Data were collected from 405 children aged 49 to 73 months in Afyonkarahisar, T & uuml;rkiye, using teacherrated measures. A latent profile analysis identified four distinct profiles. Results: The first profile included children with average SEW and PR but high digital game addiction. The second profile consisted of children with high SEW and PR and average digital game addiction. The third profile included children with low SEW and PR and average digital game addiction. The fourth profile represented children with average levels across all three variables. These findings highlight that similar levels of digital game addiction may coexist with differing levels of SEW and PR, indicating complex developmental patterns. Conclusion: The study underscores the need for tailored early interventions and guidance on digital game use in early childhood settings.