Game Addiction and Smartphone Dependence: Influences of Affects and Loneliness

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/apl/a.15976
Título de la obra: "Perspectivas". Artista: Vanessa Daly dos Santos

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Published: May 20, 2026
Issue: Vol. 43 No. 2 (2025): Vol. 43 Num. 2 (2025): Avances en Psicología Latinoamericana 43(2)
Section Artículos


Keywords: smartphone dependence game addiction affects loneliness

Main Article Content

Authors

  Layrtthon Carlos de Oliveira Santos
Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Brazil
  José Ryan Lopes Cabral
University Center of Patos (UNIFIG), Brazil
  Anderson Mesquita do Nascimento
State University of Minas Gerais (UEMG), Brazil
  Washington Allysson Dantas Silva
University of Lisbon, Portugal
  Tailson Evangelista Mariano
Catholic University of Pernambuco (Unicap), Brazil
  Jéssica Alves da Costa
University Center of Patos (UNIFIG), Brazil

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among smartphone dependence, online game addiction, affects, and loneliness, testing affects as mediators. Participants were 459 online multiplayer gamers aged 18 to 60 years who completed measures of smartphone dependence, loneliness, affect, game addiction, and demographics. Results showed that game addiction was positively associated with smartphone dependence, loneliness, and negative affect; and negatively associated with positive affect and age. Regression analyses indicated that smartphone dependence, positive affect, and negative affect significantly predicted game addiction, explaining 34% of its variance, while loneliness did not directly predict game addiction. Mediation analyses revealed that negative affect mediated the indirect effects of both smartphone dependence and loneliness on game addiction, whereas positive affect mediated only the indirect effect of smartphone dependence on game addiction. These findings advance understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying dysfunctional technology use and suggest that fostering positive affect may be an important protective factor against smartphone dependence and game addiction.

How to Cite
Santos, L. C. de O., Cabral, J. R. L., do Nascimento, A. M., Silva, W. A. D., Mariano, T. E., & da Costa, J. A. (2026). Game Addiction and Smartphone Dependence: Influences of Affects and Loneliness. Avances En Psicología Latinoamericana, 43(2). https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/apl/a.15976
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