Problematic Online Gaming, Cyberbullying Perpetration and Aggression Among Pakistani University Students

Problematic online gaming has become an increasing concern among students in recent years. Prior studies have established links between problematic online gaming, cyberbullying perpetration, and aggression. However, the mediating role of cyberbullying perpetration in this relationship remains insufficiently explored, particularly within the context of Pakistani university students. Therefore, the present study sought to investigate whether cyberbullying perpetration mediates the relationship between problematic online gaming and aggression. Using a cross-sectional correlational design, data were collected through purposive sampling technique from 310 university students aged 18 to 35 years (M = 23.10, SD = 2.89). The study utilized three questionnaires, namely Gaming Addiction Scale for Adolescents (Lemmens et al., 2009), Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992), and the Cyberbullying Perpetration Subscale of the Cyberbullying Perpetration and Victimization Questionnaire (Lee et al., 2017). Correlational findings revealed significant positive associations among the study variables. Problematic online gaming was positively correlated with cyberbullying perpetration (r = .19, p < .01) and aggression (r = .14, p < .01). Additionally, cyberbullying perpetration was strongly and positively correlated with aggression (r = .80, p < .01). Further mediation analysis demonstrated that cyberbullying perpetration significantly and positively mediated the relationship between problematic online gaming and aggression. These findings highlight the indirect pathway from problematic online gaming to aggression through cyberbullying perpetration, while the direct effect remained nonsignificant. The study achieved its objectives and provides valuable implications for understanding and addressing the interconnected issues of online gaming behaviors, cyberbullying, and aggression among university students.