The Association Between Internet Gaming Disorder and Resilience: A Meta‑Analysis

Abstract

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) represents a growing public health concern, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Although resilience has been proposed as a protective factor against addictive behaviours more broadly, no quantitative synthesis has yet specifically examined its relationship with IGD. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the magnitude and direction of the association between IGD and resilience, as well as to explore potential moderating variables. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in February 2026 across PsycINFO, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science Core Collection. Ultimately, 14 studies (15 independent samples) with a total of 79,760 participants were included. Effect sizes were calculated based on Pearson’s correlations transformed into Fisher’s Z scores through the application of a random-effects model. The results revealed a statistically significant, moderately negative correlation between resilience and IGD (r= −.24, 95% CI [−.29,−.20]), indicating that higher levels of resilience are associated with lower IGD symptomatology. Substantial heterogeneity was observed (I 2=95.20%), but sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings. No evidence of publication bias was detected. Among the examined moderators, only the resilience measurement instrument was significant, explaining 56.23% of the variance. These findings highlight the relevance of incorporating resilience-enhancing strategies into prevention programmes and interventions targeting vulnerable populations, particularly adolescents and young adults. Furthermore, they underscore the need for future longitudinal research to clarify causal relationships.