The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of metacognition in the relationship between attachment styles and online gambling addiction in adolescents. The method of the present study was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population was all male adolescents in district one of Tehran, from which a sample of 234 people were selected by convenience sampling method. The research instruments were Wells Metacognitive Beliefs Questionnaire,Wang and Chang online game addiction,and Collins and Reed attachment style. Relationships between variables were performed by Pearson correlation test and structural equation modeling test using partial least squares method. Pearson correlation test showed that there is a negative and significant relationship between secure attachment with metacognition and online gambling addiction and between positive avoidance and anxiety with metacognition and online gambling addiction and a positive and significant relationship between metacognition and online gambling addiction (0.05>P)existed. It also clarified the indirect relationship between the dimensions of attachment and online gambling addiction through metacognition and showed that metacognition plays a mediating role in the relationship between the dimensions of attachment and online gambling addiction. It is suggested that psychologists emphasize the role of attachment and metacognition dimensions for preventive interventions and awareness-raising for families and schools.

Keywords: metacognition, dimensions of attachment, online gaming addiction, boy adolescent