A Structural Equation Model of the Associations between Electronic Gaming Addiction, Academic Procrastination, and Satisfaction among Libyan University Students

Abstract

This study tested a structural model explaining the relationship between online gaming addiction, academic procrastination, and life satisfaction among (700) students from three Libyan universities (Al-Zawiya, Al-Jafara, Gharyan), using descriptive-analytical approach with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results showed widespread gaming prevalence (85.7%), with average daily play of (2.85) hours. A strong positive relationship was found between addiction and academic procrastination (r = 0.53), and a strong negative relationship between procrastination and life satisfaction (r = -0.49). The model confirmed that academic procrastination fully mediates the relationship between addiction and life satisfaction, with a non-significant direct effect but a strong indirect effect through procrastination. Significant differences in addiction levels were found in favor of males and Physical Education students. The study recommended awareness and intervention programs to reduce addiction, considering gender and specialization differences, and conducting further extended structural studies.