Internet gaming disorder and cognitive failures in daily life among university students: the mediating role of sleep quality and the moderating role of mindfulness

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) refers to sustained, uncontrolled online gaming behavior associated with negative consequences. Previous research has revealed that IGD was a risk factor for daily impaired cognitive outcomes. However, the potential underlying mechanisms are not clear. The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of sleep quality and the moderating role of mindfulness in the link between IGD and daily cognitive failures. Data are from 851 university students using self-reported questionnaires. The results indicated that IGD positively predicted daily cognitive failures and sleep quality partially mediated this association. Furthermore, mindfulness did not regulate the direct pathway between IGD and daily cognitive failures. It moderated the mediating effect of sleep quality, specifically, low mindfulness amplified the positive effect of IGD on daily cognitive failures through sleep quality. This study contributes to a better understanding of the negative influence of IGD on cognitive ability and facilitates the development of targeted prevention strategies aimed at reducing sleep problems and cognitive deficits in daily life for university students with IGD.