Abstract
Aims:
The current study explored the nature of problematic (addictive) video gaming (PVG) and the association with game type, psychosocial health, and substance use.
Methods:
Data were collected using a paper and pencil survey in the classroom setting. Three samples were aggregated to achieve a total sample of 8478 unique adolescents. Scales included measures of game use, game type, the Video game Addiction Test (VAT), depressive mood, negative self-esteem, loneliness, social anxiety, education performance, and use of cannabis, alcohol and nicotine (smoking).
Results:
Findings confirmed problematic gaming is most common amongst adolescent gamers who play multiplayer online games. Boys (60%) were more likely to play online games than girls (14%) and problematic gamers were more likely to be boys (5%) than girls (1%). High problematic gamers showed higher scores on depressive mood, loneliness, social anxiety, negative self-esteem, and self-reported lower school performance. Nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis using boys were almost twice more likely to report high PVG than non-users.
Conclusions:
It appears that online gaming in general is not necessarily associated with problems. However, problematic gamers do seem to play online games more often, and a small subgroup of gamers - specifically boys - showed lower psychosocial functioning and lower grades. Moreover, associations with alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis use are found. It would appear that problematic gaming is an undesirable problem for a small subgroup of gamers. The findings encourage further exploration of the role of psychoactive substance use in problematic gaming.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 157-165 |
Journal | Journal of Behavioral Addictions |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- problematic video gaming
- Internet Gaming Disorder
- online games
- adolescents
- alcohol
- smoking
- cannabis
- loneliness
- depression
- negative self-esteem
- social anxiety
- INTERNET ADDICTION
- ASSESSMENT TOOLS
- RISK-FACTORS
- DRUG-USE
- PREVALENCE
- VALIDITY
- ALCOHOL
- SCALE
- IMPULSIVITY
- CONCURRENT