Based on cognitive-behavioral model of problematic Internet, the present study investigated
the association between deviant peer affiliation and adolescents’ online gaming addiction, as well as
the mediating role of maladaptive cognitions which includes three distinct factors, namely, “social
comfort”, “distraction” and “self-realization.” A total of 1,813 Chinese adolescents completed anonymous
questionnaires regarding deviant peer affiliation, maladaptive cognitions and PIU. The results showed
that: (1) both deviant peer affiliation and maladaptive cognitions positively predict adolescents’ online
gaming addiction. (2) the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and adolescents’ online gaming
addiction is partly mediated by all of the three distinct factors of maladaptive cognitions.