Online game exposure and psychological well-being: moderation of rural adolescents' emotional well-being in community dynamics
Abstract
The increasing use of online games among rural adolescents is thought to decrease social interaction and community engagement which is important for psychological well-being. However, its influence and the role of emotional well-being as a moderator are still unclear, especially in rural contexts. This study aims to examine: (1) the effect of exposure to online games on the psychological well-being of rural adolescents, and (2) the role of emotional well-being moderation in these relationships. This study uses a quantitative approach with a survey design on rural adolescents in East Java through standardized instruments. The results of the analysis showed that exposure to online games had a significant effect on psychological well-being although it was relatively limited, while emotional well-being has not been shown to moderate these relationships. These findings confirm that exposure to online games is a limited risk factor. The novelty of this study lies in the simultaneous testing of the role of online game exposure and emotional well-being in the context of rural adolescents, which has been understudied in the previous literature.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Social Psychology, Educational Psychology
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
May 19, 2026
Submission Date
October 30, 2025
Acceptance Date
May 14, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: 1