Alexithymia as a Mediator Between Digital Game Addiction and Awareness of Exercise Addiction

Hasan Güler; Ebru Dereceli; Murat Tunçbilek; Seda Nur Turhal

doi:10.53434/gbesbd.1990184

Alexithymia as a Mediator Between Digital Game Addiction and Awareness of Exercise Addiction

Abstract

This study examined the associations among digital game addiction, alexithymia, and awareness of exercise addiction in university students and investigated the indirect role of alexithymia in the relationship between digital game addiction and awareness of exercise addiction. The study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional correlational research design and included 328 university students. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Digital Game Addiction Scale, the Awareness of Exercise Addiction Scale, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and bootstrap-based mediation analysis using PROCESS Macro Model 4 were performed. Digital game addiction was positively and significantly associated with alexithymia (r = .320, p < .001). However, digital game addiction was not significantly associated with awareness of exercise addiction (r = −.073, p = .187), and the association between alexithymia and awareness of exercise addiction was also not statistically significant (r = .088, p = .111). The total effect (B = −.0519, p = .1866) and direct effect (B = −.0801, p = .0524) of digital game addiction on awareness of exercise addiction were not statistically significant. Nevertheless, the bootstrap analysis revealed a statistically significant indirect effect through alexithymia (B = .0282, 95% CI [.0029, .0564]). These findings indicate a significant indirect statistical association involving alexithymia. Given the cross-sectional design, this indirect effect should not be interpreted as evidence of a causal or temporal mechanism.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sport and Exercise Psychology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Hasan Güler ^*
0000-0003-2565-7271
Türkiye

Ebru Dereceli
0000-0002-7021-1001
Türkiye

Murat Tunçbilek
0000-0001-9696-9470
Türkiye

Seda Nur Turhal
0000-0003-1910-5702
Türkiye

Publication Date

September 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 8, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 31 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1990184

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA57YE38TM

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Güler, H., Dereceli, E., Tunçbilek, M., & Turhal, S. N. (2026). Alexithymia as a Mediator Between Digital Game Addiction and Awareness of Exercise Addiction. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 31(3), 124-133. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1990184

AMA

1.Güler H, Dereceli E, Tunçbilek M, Turhal SN. Alexithymia as a Mediator Between Digital Game Addiction and Awareness of Exercise Addiction. Gazi JPESS. 2026;31(3):124-133. doi:10.53434/gbesbd.1990184

Chicago

Güler, Hasan, Ebru Dereceli, Murat Tunçbilek, and Seda Nur Turhal. 2026. “Alexithymia As a Mediator Between Digital Game Addiction and Awareness of Exercise Addiction”. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences 31 (3): 124-33. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1990184.

EndNote

Güler H, Dereceli E, Tunçbilek M, Turhal SN (September 1, 2026) Alexithymia as a Mediator Between Digital Game Addiction and Awareness of Exercise Addiction. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences 31 3 124–133.

IEEE

[1]H. Güler, E. Dereceli, M. Tunçbilek, and S. N. Turhal, “Alexithymia as a Mediator Between Digital Game Addiction and Awareness of Exercise Addiction”, Gazi JPESS, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 124–133, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.53434/gbesbd.1990184.

ISNAD

Güler, Hasan - Dereceli, Ebru - Tunçbilek, Murat - Turhal, Seda Nur. “Alexithymia As a Mediator Between Digital Game Addiction and Awareness of Exercise Addiction”. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences 31/3 (September 1, 2026): 124-133. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1990184.

JAMA

1.Güler H, Dereceli E, Tunçbilek M, Turhal SN. Alexithymia as a Mediator Between Digital Game Addiction and Awareness of Exercise Addiction. Gazi JPESS. 2026;31:124–133.

MLA

Güler, Hasan, et al. “Alexithymia As a Mediator Between Digital Game Addiction and Awareness of Exercise Addiction”. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, vol. 31, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 124-33, doi:10.53434/gbesbd.1990184.

Vancouver

1.Hasan Güler, Ebru Dereceli, Murat Tunçbilek, Seda Nur Turhal. Alexithymia as a Mediator Between Digital Game Addiction and Awareness of Exercise Addiction. Gazi JPESS. 2026 Sep. 1;31(3):124-33. doi:10.53434/gbesbd.1990184