Figure 1.

Serial mediation effects on problematic internet use in IGD group (n = 61). BIS-11 = Barratt Impulsiveness Scale; RCS = Relationship Change scale; BDI = Beck Depression Inventory; Y-IAT = Young’s Internet Addiction Test; Solid lines showed significant paths with standardized path coefficients and dashed line represents a nonsignificant path. c’ means direct effect of impulsivity (X) on internet addiction (Y) and c means indirect effect of impulsivity (X) on internet addiction (Y) through interpersonal relationship (M1) and depression (M2) in serial. Results showed that high impulsivity affected more difficulty in interpersonal relationships, which further affected depression and increased the risk of internet gaming disorder symptoms in IGD group. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.001.