Abstract
BackgroundSeveral factors have now been identified to have reliable associations with Gaming Disorder, including mental health symptoms, quality of life, and time spent gaming. However, previous research has frequently relied on participant self-report to measure time spent gaming, which may be susceptible to systematic bias. This study assessed relationships between both objective logged data and subjective self-report of time spent gaming and gaming disorder symptoms, while accounting for potential confounding or moderating factors such as mental health symptoms and quality of life. MethodStudy participants included 320 North American video game players (79.1% male), with a mean age of 21.84 years (SD = 3.99), recruited to participate in a brief survey and provide consent to link responses to their logged behavioral data. ResultsDespite significant correlations between objective logged and subjective self-report measurements of time spent gaming (r = 0.494, p < .001), we observed meaningful differences between these measures (absolute difference = 5.71 h per week, SD = 6.26), and discrepancies between reports were higher among those who logged more time spent gaming. Both assessment modalities demonstrated associations with gaming disorder symptoms that were significant but small in effect. Moderation analyses revealed that the association between time spent gaming and gaming disorder symptoms did not vary based on participant's mental health symptoms. ConclusionsThis study found differences between objective logged and subjective self-report measurements of time spent gaming that align with previously reported discrepancies observed in other technology use. Several methodological challenges remain regarding how to accurately assess gaming behavior. Longitudinal studies assessing the relationship between changes in mental health symptoms, objective assessment of gaming activity, and gaming disorder symptoms over time are needed to further inform treatment efforts.
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