Extraversion, loneliness, and problematic game use: A longitudinal study

Extraversion, one of the Big Five personality traits, is considered a representative determinant of problematic game use. Although several studies have examined this trait, however, owing to the limitations of a cross-sectional approach, there have been conflicting results for the relationship between extraversion and problematic game behavior. The present study establishes the relationship between extraversion and problematic game behavior through a panel analysis using longitudinal data. In addition, considering loneliness as a condition that characterizes extraversion can be well demonstrated in this process, this study examines the moderating effects of loneliness. Based on the balanced panel samples of 529 adolescents in South Korea during four years (48.7% male; Mage = 15.07 years; SD = 2.59), hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. The results revealed that extraversion at time t is positively associated with problematic game use at time t + 1. Besides, loneliness moderates the relationship such that the positive relationship is strengthened when loneliness is high. Theoretical and practical implications are provided. •Panel analysis was conducted to investigate the causation of PGU.•Extraversion is positively associated with PGU.•Loneliness positively moderates the relationship between extraversion and PGU.