Research article | Open Access
Curricular Studies & Perspectives 2026, Vol. 2(1) 48-58
The Relationship Between Digital Gaming Addiction and Attention Difficulties in Middle School Students: The Role of Gender, Grade Level, and Gaming Duration
pp. 48 - 58 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/csp.2026.1433.4
Publish Date: April 30, 2026 | Single/Total View: 3/0 | Single/Total Download: 3/0
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the relationship between digital gaming addiction and attention difficulties in middle school students, and to investigate the differentiating roles of gender, grade level, and daily gaming duration. The study employed a quantitative descriptive and correlational design. Data were collected from 386 students (192 male, 194 female; Mage = 12.44, SD = 1.12) attending four public middle schools in different provinces of Turkey through voluntary online participation between December 2025 and January 2026. The Digital Gaming Addiction Scale (DGAS) and the Attention Difficulty Assessment Scale (ADAS) were used as measurement instruments. Independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVAs, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. The findings indicated that male students had significantly higher scores than female students in both digital gaming addiction and attention difficulties. Additionally, average scores showed a notable increase in higher grade levels (7th and 8th grades). Both variables also rose substantially with longer daily gaming durations. Correlation analysis indicated a moderate-to-strong positive association between digital gaming addiction and attention difficulties (r = .54, p < .01). Regression analysis demonstrated that gaming addiction subscales and daily gaming duration significantly predicted attention difficulties (R² = .46). Findings are discussed within the framework of existing literature, and recommendations for prevention and intervention programs are provided.
Keywords: digital gaming addiction, attention difficulties, impulsivity, middle school students, screen time
APA 7th edition
DOGAN, S. (2026). The Relationship Between Digital Gaming Addiction and Attention Difficulties in Middle School Students: The Role of Gender, Grade Level, and Gaming Duration. Curricular Studies & Perspectives, 2(1), 48-58. https://doi.org/10.29329/csp.2026.1433.4
Harvard
DOGAN, S. (2026). The Relationship Between Digital Gaming Addiction and Attention Difficulties in Middle School Students: The Role of Gender, Grade Level, and Gaming Duration. Curricular Studies & Perspectives, 2(1), pp. 48-58.
Chicago 16th edition
DOGAN, Serhan (2026). "The Relationship Between Digital Gaming Addiction and Attention Difficulties in Middle School Students: The Role of Gender, Grade Level, and Gaming Duration". Curricular Studies & Perspectives 2 (1):48-58. https://doi.org/10.29329/csp.2026.1433.4
- Acat, M. B., & Ay, Y. (2014). An investigation the effect of quantum learning approach on primary school 7th grade students’ science achievement, retention and attitude. The International Journal of Research in Teacher Education, 5(2), 11-23. https://izlik.org/JA42DT69WP [Google Scholar]
- Akbaba, D., & Çetinkaya Yıldız, E. (2023). Üniversite öğrencilerinin dijital oyun bağımlılığını yordamada yaşantısal kaçınma, ait olma ve psikolojik iyi oluşun rolü. Bağımlılık Dergisi, 24(3), 234–245. https://doi.org/10.51982/bagimli.1269225 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Ayyıldız, D., & Uz-Baş, A. (2025). Ortaokul öğrencilerinde dijital oyun bağımlılığı, davranışsal-duygusal sorunlar ve olumsuz bilişsel hatalar arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesi. Kalem Uluslararası Eğitim ve İnsan Bilimleri Dergisi, 15(1), 1–25. [Google Scholar]
- Bozyiğit, T., & Yılmaz, S. (2023). The relationship between digital game addiction, executive functions and impulsivity in early adolescents. Nesne Psikoloji Dergisi, 11(28), 456–478. [Google Scholar]
- Çakır, O., Ayas, T., & Horzum, M. B. (2011). An investigation of university students' internet and game addiction with respect to several variables. Computers & Education, 57(4), 2520–2529. https://doi.org/10.1501/Egifak_0000001226 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Delebe, A., & Hazar, Z. (2022). Examination of the digital game addiction level of secondary school students according to some physical parameters and academic success. Ankara Üniversitesi Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Yüksekokulu SPORMETRE Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 20(3), 78–95. https://doi.org/10.33689/spormetre.1061035 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Dinçer, B., & Kolan, H. İ. (2020). Ortaokul öğrencilerinin bilgisayar oyun bağımlılığı düzeyleri ile sorumluluk davranışı arasındaki ilişki. Kastamonu Eğitim Dergisi, 28(3), 1245–1262. https://doi.org/10.24106/kefdergi.833550 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Dursun, A., & Çapan, B. (2018). Ergenlerde dijital oyun bağımlılığı ve psikolojik ihtiyaçlar. İnönü Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 19(2), 128–140. https://doi.org/10.17679/inuefd.336272 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Gül, I., & Özgür, H. (2023). Ortaokul öğrencilerinin dijital oyun bağımlılıkları ile ailelerinin dijital ebeveynlik farkındalıkları arasındaki ilişkinin çeşitli değişkenler açısından incelenmesi. Trakya Eğitim Dergisi, 13(2), 567–585. https://doi.org/10.24315/tred.1325214 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Hassan, A., & Abu Hassoun. (2018). Addiction to electronic gaming and its relationship with attention deficit among primary school students. ALUSTATH Journal for Human and Social Sciences, 57(4), 123–145. [Google Scholar]
- Horzum, M. B. (2011). İlköğretim öğrencilerinin bilgisayar oyunu bağımlılık düzeylerinin çeşitli değişkenlere göre incelenmesi. Education and Science, 36(159), 56–68. https://doi.org/10.15390/ES.2011.907 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Korkmaz, Ö., & Korkmaz, Ö. (2019). Ortaokul öğrencilerinin oyun bağımlılık düzeyleri, oyun alışkanlıkları ve tercihleri. Turkish Studies, 14(4), 1245–1268. https://doi.org/10.17679/inuefd.505200 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Kurhan, S., Çar, B., Kurhan, C. O., Kurtoğlu, A., Eken, Ö., & Polat, G. (2024). Exploring the impact of physical inactivity on digital gaming attitudes and addiction among secondary school students. Balneo and PRM Research Journal, 15(2), 123–135. https://doi.org/ 10.12680/balneo.2024.687 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Lemmens, J. S., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2009). Development and validation of a game addiction scale for adolescents. Media Psychology, 12(1), 77–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213260802669458 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Mazman Akar, S. G., & Özer, M. (2025). Digital game addiction in elementary students: The impact of digital literacy, parental styles, and background variables. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 9(1), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPR.202531537 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Moçoşoğlu, B., & Yorulmaz, B. (2023). The relationship between digital game addiction levels and study habits of primary school 4th grade students: The example of Ümraniye. Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International, 13(2), 234–251. https://doi.org/10.18039/ajesi.1270411 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Önder, A., Gizli Çoban, Ö., Sürer Adanır, A., Bilaç, Ö., & Kavurma, C. (2022). Evaluation of game addiction, social media addiction and loneliness levels in adolescents with school attendance problems. Akdeniz Medical Journal, 8(2), 234–245. https://doi.org/10.53394/akd.1037565 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Pesen, A., & Şanlı, T. (2018). Ortaokul öğrencilerinde bilgisayar oyun bağımlılığı düzeyinin çeşitli değişkenlere göre incelenmesi. AJIT-e Online Academic Journal of Information Technology, 9(34), 105–117. https://doi.org/10.5824/1309-1581.2018.4.008.x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Şahin, D., & Kahraman, Ö. (2020). Okul dönemi çocuklarının bilgisayar oyun bağımlılığı ile davranış problemleri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. Çocuk ve Gelişim Dergisi, 3(5), 67–82. https://doi.org/10.37669/milliegitim.682086 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- Taş, İ. (2019). The pattern of relationship between attachment styles, gaming addiction and empathetic tendency among adolescents. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 19(84), 123–145. https://izlik.org/JA97CG39TK [Google Scholar]
- Tonga, İ. (2024). Dijital oyun bağımlılığı ve okul bağlılığı arasındaki ilişki. İnönü Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, 11(21), 234–251. https://doi.org/10.29129/inujgse.1294209 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
- World Health Organization. (2019). International classification of diseases for mortality and morbidity statistics (11th rev.). https://icd.who.int/ [Google Scholar]
- Yılmaz Dinç, S. (2023). Ortaokul öğrencilerinde dijital oyun bağımlılığının, sosyal uyum ve okula bağlılık üzerindeki yordayıcı etkisinin incelenmesi. Bağımlılık Dergisi, 24(3), 178–195. https://doi.org/10.51982/bagimli.1142991 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
