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. 2024 Jun 24;12(1):364.
doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-01849-9.

Effects of memory and attention on the association between video game addiction and cognitive/learning skills in children: mediational analysis

Amani Ali Kappi  1 , Rania Rabie El-Etreby  2 , Ghada Gamal Badawy  3 , Gawhara Ebrahem  3 , Warda El Shahat Hamed  4
Affiliations

Effects of memory and attention on the association between video game addiction and cognitive/learning skills in children: mediational analysis

Amani Ali Kappi et al. BMC Psychol. .

Abstract

Background: Video games have become a prevalent source of entertainment, especially among children. Furthermore, the amount of time spent playing video games has grown dramatically. The purpose of this research was to examine the mediation effects of attention and child memory on the relationship between video games addiction and cognitive and learning abilities in Egyptian children.

Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used in the current study in two schools affiliated with Dakahlia District, Egypt. The study included 169 children aged 9 to 13 who met the inclusion criteria, and their mothers provided the questionnaire responses. The data collection methods were performed over approximately four months from February to May. Data were collected using different tools: Socio-demographic Interview, Game Addiction Scale for Children (GASC), Children's Memory Questionnaire (CMQ), Clinical Attention Problems Scale, Learning, Executive, and Attention Functioning (LEAF) Scale.

Results: There was a significant indirect effect of video game addiction on cognitive and learning skills through attention, but not child memory. Video game addiction has a significant impact on children's attention and memory. Both attention and memory have a significant impact on a child's cognitive and learning skills.

Conclusions: These results revealed the significant effect of video game addiction on cognitive and learning abilities in the presence of mediators. It also suggested that attention-focused therapies might play an important role in minimizing the harmful effects of video game addiction on cognitive and learning abilities.

Keywords: Attention; Child memory; Children; Learning skills; Video game addiction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mediation effect of attention problem and child memory on the association between video gaming addiction and cognitive and learning skills
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