<![CDATA[Online game addiction has become an important behavioral concern among adolescents and may be associated with difficulties in emotional and interpersonal functioning. This study examined the associations of emotion regulation and social interaction with online game addiction among junior high school students in Lubuk Besar District, Central Bangka Regency, Indonesia. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational study with an ex-post facto design was conducted among 190 students from three state junior high schools. Data were collected using four-point Likert-type scales measuring online game addiction, emotion regulation, and social interaction. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. Emotion regulation was significantly and negatively associated with online game addiction after controlling for social interaction (β = −.180, p = .016). Social interaction also showed a significant negative association with online game addiction after controlling for emotion regulation (β = −.358, p < .001). Emotion regulation and social interaction were jointly associated with online game addiction, F(2, 187) = 27.130, p < .001, with the model explaining 22.5% of the variance in online game addiction (R² = .225; adjusted R² = .217). These findings indicate that emotional and interpersonal functioning are relevant domains in understanding problematic gaming among junior high school students and may be considered in school guidance and counseling services. However, the cross-sectional design does not permit causal inference. Future research should employ longitudinal designs and examine additional psychological, family, academic, and environmental factors associated with online game addiction.]]>
