Open Access

ARTICLE

Problematic mobile game use and executive function: negative emotions mediation and physical activity moderation

Xin Yu, Jingbo Wang, Hao Hong^*

Wushu College, Henan University, Kaifeng, China

* Corresponding Author: Hao Hong. Email:

Journal of Psychology in Africa 2026, 36(2), 209-217. https://doi.org/10.32604/jpa.2026.073317

Received 15 September 2025; Accepted 26 February 2026; Issue published 29 April 2026

Abstract

This study examined the roles of negative emotions and physical activity in the relationship between problematic mobile game use and executive functioning. A total of 528 participants were included (females = 62.07%; M = 19.24, SD = 1.52). All participants completed the Adapted Internet Addiction Scale, the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Chinese version of the Adolescent Executive Function Scale, and the Chinese version of the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PARS-3). After controlling for gender, age, school, major, and grade, regression analysis revealed that problematic mobile gaming was significantly associated with impaired executive functioning. Negative emotions mediated this relationship. Physical activity moderated the effect of problematic mobile gaming on executive functioning. Specifically, the protective effect of physical activity was significant only under conditions of low-level problematic mobile gaming, but disappeared when such gaming was at a high level. This study clarifies the emotional mediation mechanism through which problematic mobile gaming impairs executive functioning and delineates the boundary conditions of physical activity as a protective resource, providing a solid empirical foundation for developing tailored intervention strategies.

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Keywords

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