A secure intention behavior model of online game addiction among adolescents in higher learning institutions

Online Game Addiction (OGA) refers to a problematic condition characterized by excessive and compulsive engagement in online gaming activities, which can leave adolescents vulnerable to cyber threats, such as phishing attacks. Despite existing models and interventions, the persistent impact of OGA among adolescents particularly within Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) remains a concern. This study aims to develop a Secure Intention Behavior (SIB) model of OGA among adolescents in HLIs. This model adapted the extended Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) which introduced by Jansen and Schaik in 2018, for a better understanding of the cybersecurity perspective with the integration of Cybercognition and Online Game Addiction Severity (OGAS) as a moderator. A quantitative approach was adopted, with 850 questionnaires were distributed across Malaysia's Southern, Northern, Eastern and Central regions using simple random sampling to ensure unbiased and enhances the generalizability of the findings. Of the 713 returned questionnaires, 660 were deemed usable for analysis, resulting in an impressive 84% valid response rate. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized relationship within the proposed SIB model. The findings confirmed most of the direct relationships, except for Perceived Vulnerability to Protection Motivation. Notably, OGAS played a significant moderating role, underscoring its important in understanding adolescent's behavior. The structural model was rigorously validated for predictive accuracy and enhance its reliability. The expert evaluation further confirmed the model's robustness by four experts' evaluation and was done using content analysis technique. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by introducing a novel SIB model in the context of cybersecurity, providing valuable insight for developing intervention and preventive strategies to address complex issues of OGA among adolescents in HLls. The result also paves the way for future exploration of OGA using the PMT framework.