ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the relationships among peer attachment, self-identity, preference of online games and pathological internet use. Methods: 404 middle school students (213 boys, 191 girls) in Beijing participated in this study, and Peer Attachment Scale, Self-identity Scale, Preference of Online Games Scale and Adolescent Pathological Internet Use Scale were used. Results: ①Peer alienation predicted PIU significantly, but peer trust and peer communication didn’t; ②The preference of online games had significant complete mediating effects on the association between peer trust and PIU, and on that between peer alienation and PIU as well; the complete mediating effect of ego identity on the relationship between peer trust, peer communication and PIU was significant. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that there are significant relations among adolescents’ peer attachment, preference of online games, ego-identity and PIU.