Depressive Symptoms and Gaming Disorder Severity Across Leisure Activity Patterns Among Adolescents

A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study classified 1,260 elementary and junior high school students aged 6–15 years into four leisure activity patterns—game-focused, study-focused, balanced, and low-activity—and examined their associations with depressive symptoms and gaming disorder severity. The results indicated that depressive symptoms were higher in the low-activity and balanced groups and lowest in the study-focused group. Gaming disorder severity was lower in the study-focused group, whereas similarly elevated levels were observed in the game-focused, balanced, and low-activity groups. These findings suggest that the amount of leisure activity and participation in structured activities may play an important role in adolescents’ psychological adjustment.