The Model of Structural Relationships Predicting Addiction to Online Games Based on Deviant Peer Affiliation with The Mediating Role of Maladaptive Cognitions and Social Skill Deficits

Online gaming addiction is a growing global concern and is detrimental to mental health among adolescents. The present study was conducted aiming to predict the structural relationship model of online game addiction based on Deviant Peer Affiliation with the mediating role of maladaptive cognitions and social skill deficits. The intended research was structural equation correlation. Its statistical population included all male students of the second year of high school students studying in the public schools of Ardabil city in the academic year of 2023.A sample of 208 participants was selected using convenience sampling method who completed the questionnaires of addiction to online games.  The obtained data were analyzed using smart pls4 software. The results showed that Deviant Peer Affiliation has a direct and significant effect on addiction to online games, and the indirect effect of Deviant Peer Affiliation on addiction to online games was confirmed through the mediation of maladaptive cognitions and social skill deficits. The model had a good fit based on the goodness of fit indices.