Abstract
While links between self-control, maladaptive coping, and online gaming addiction have been established, the intricate machinery driving these connections remains unexplored. This study uses the personality-coping-outcome theory to propose a complementary mediating model that examines how personality traits influence online game addiction through maladaptive coping. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit 128 Malaysian undergraduate students, and an online survey method was used to collect data. Participants were asked to fill out three scales: Brief Self-Control Scale, Game Addiction Scale, and Brief COPE scale. In addition to the direct effect of self-control on online game addiction, the results showed that maladaptive coping exerts an indirect influence, mediating the relationship between self-control and online game addiction. This study bridges a gap in online game addiction research by showcasing the effectiveness of the personality-coping-outcome theory for a deeper understanding of the complex factors influencing online gaming addiction. Besides, the study also fills in the need for consolidated theoretical paradigms related to online game addiction and the need to conduct studies on underrepresented countries to develop a truly global understanding of this issue. Nonetheless, the robustness of the results is required to be examined further,