1. Problem and Rationale



Interactive video games involve repeated decision-making, time pressure, competition, immediate feedback, and changing conditions. In these environments, individual differences in metacognition, emotion regulation, and cognitive flexibility may influence players’ decision-making styles. Although these constructs have been studied separately, few studies have examined them in an integrated model among interactive video game players.



2. Purpose and Model



This study examines the relationship between metacognition and decision-making styles in interactive video game players, focusing on the mediating role of emotion regulation and the moderating role of cognitive flexibility. Metacognition is considered the independent variable, decision-making styles the dependent variables, emotion regulation the mediator, and cognitive flexibility the moderator. The study expects metacognition to influence decision-making styles directly and indirectly through emotion regulation, while cognitive flexibility may change the strength of this relationship.



3. Method and Participants



The study uses a descriptive-correlational design and structural equation modeling. Participants will be active interactive video game players in Tehran, aged 18–35 years, with at least six months of gaming experience and a minimum of five hours of gaming per week. Approximately 250–350 participants will be recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. Data will be collected online with informed consent, voluntary participation, anonymity, and confidentiality.



4. Measures and Analysis



Metacognition will be assessed with the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30, emotion regulation with the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, cognitive flexibility with the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, and decision-making styles with the General Decision-Making Style Questionnaire. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, regression analyses, and structural equation modeling in AMOS or SmartPLS.