Real-world social support but not in-game social support is related to reduced depression and anxiety associated with problematic gaming

Playing video games can become problematic, interfering with gamers' daily functioning. This problematic gaming is associated with negative mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety. Social support, provided in the real-world, can protect against mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. However, previous research on gaming has found that real-world social support for gamers often decreases, while within-game social support increases. Importantly, it is currently unknown whether in-game social support can replace real-world social support in protecting problematic gamers from symptoms of depression and anxiety. To address this, we conducted an online survey (n = 361), recruiting participants from both a general university population and an online campus gaming (E-sports) group. We collected measures of problematic gaming, depression, anxiety, and both real-world and in-game social support, and then conducted a path analysis. In line with previous research, problematic gaming was significantly associated with decreased real-world social support and increased in-game social support. However, only real-world social support was then associated with reduced depression and anxiety, while in-game social support was unrelated to both. Problematic gaming also retained a significant direct effect on depression and anxiety. Maintaining real-world social support should be encouraged in the face of problematic gaming behaviors.