Digital Game Addiction Research Articles

Examination of the relationship between health promotion behavior and game addiction in adolescents

ObjectivesAdolescence is defined as the transition period from childhood to adulthood. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between health promotion behavior and game addiction in a sample of Turkish adolescents. MethodsThe sample consisted of 340 adolescents aged 10–14 years (50.70 % boys). We collected the data using the ‘Adolescent Health Promotion Scale’ and ‘Adolescent Game Addiction Scale’ (Short Form). ResultsIt was determined that 87.3 % of the adolescents played digital games. Adolescents with chronic diseases and poor health status had higher digital game addiction scale scores (p < 0.05). There is a significant difference between health promotion behaviors of adolescents according to age, mother's education level, income level, health perception, and duration of playing digital games (p < 0.05). There is a significant difference between the mean scores of adolescents' game addiction scale and life appreciation (p < 0.01), health responsibility (rSpearman = −0.290, p < 0.01), exercise (rSpearman = −0.154, p < 0.01), stress management (rSpearman = −0.122, p < 0.01), nutrition sub-dimension (rSpearman = −0.200, p < 0.01) and total mean scores (rSpearman = −0.257, p < 0.01). The results of the regression analysis showed that the adolescent's health promotion behaviors predicted digital game addiction (p < 0.01). In terms of self-esteem in children, only the health responsibility of the adolescents was a significant predictor (p < 0.01). ConclusionKnowing the factors affecting adolescents' health promotion behaviors and game addiction is very important for pediatric nurses to identify adolescents who are at risk for game addiction and take necessary precautions.

Investigating the mediating role of digital game addiction in the relationship between adolescents’ school belonging and resilience

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the mediating role of digital game addiction in the relationship between school belonging and psychological resilience of adolescents in middle school. Considering school belonging together with digital game addiction may help to better understand the risk and protective factors of psychological resilience and to create a comprehensive model of psychological resilience. Method The sample consisted of 316 secondary school students aged between 11 and 14 (M = 12.84), 47.5% (n = 150) female and 52.5% (n = 166) male. Data were collected using a demographic information form and three self-report scales. In addition to descriptive statis- tics, Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Bootstrap Analysis were used to analyses the data. The mediating role of digital game addiction in the relationship between school belonging and resilience was analysed using the Bootstrap method with 5000 resamples. This approach is regarded as providing more accurate results compared to the Sobel test. Results The results of the study show that there are significant positive relationships between school belonging and psychological resilience and negative relationships with digital game addiction. Also, the results of the study revealed that the mediating role of digital game addiction in the effect of school belonging on adolescents’ psychological resilience was statistically significant. Conclusion It was revealed that digital game addiction, which affects both psychological resilience and school belonging, which is a protective factor, in a very negative way, is a mediating variable whose effect should be reduced or eliminated.

Family communication and bi‐dimensional student mental health in adolescents: A serial mediation through digital game addiction and school belongingness

AbstractThe presence of communication within the family can be considered as a protective factor in preventing the development of mental health problems in school by acting as a buffer against mental health problems in adolescents. Thus, this study, which was designed to reveal the potential mechanisms between family communication and bi‐dimensional student mental health (psychological well‐being/distress) in Turkish adolescents, examined the serial mediator role of digital game addiction and school belongingness. The study sample consists of a total of 397 volunteering Turkish adolescents, including 206 girls (51.9%) and 191 boys (48.1%). The participants' ages range from 14 to 17 (M = 14.63 years, SD = 0.60). In this study, a cross‐sectional and explanatory design based on structural equation modeling was used. The main findings of the study are as follows: (1) digital game addiction mediated the relationship between family communication and psychological well‐being/distress, (2) school belongingness mediated the relationship between family communication and psychological well‐being/distress, and (3) the relationship between family communication and psychological well‐being/distress was serially mediated by both digital game addiction and school belongingness.

Investigation of nursing students' addiction to digital game play and associated factors

AimsIt was conducted to investigate digital gaming addiction among nursing students and the associated factors of such addiction.MethodsThe descriptive and relationship-seeking study's universe included 1665 nursing students in three universities' nursing faculties and departments. The sample size was determined to be 774 based on a power analysis with a type I error rate of 0.05, a power of the test of 0.80 (α = 0.05, 1-β = 0.80), and an effect size of d = 0.10. Student Information Form, The Digital Game Addiction Scale (DGAS-7), and the Digital Game Playing Motivation Scale (DGPMS) were used to collect student information. Data analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis H test, Spearman correlation, and Binary Logistic Regression Model.ResultsIt was found that 83.7% of the students were female, and the mean age and BMI were 20.03 ± 1.72 years and 21.98 ± 2.90 kg/m2, respectively. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the students' Digital Game Addiction Scale and Digital Game Playing Motivation Scale Achievement and Energizing (r = 0.717), Curiosity and Social Acceptance (r = 0.612), and Uncertainty in Game Desire (r = -0.110) sub-dimensions mean scores (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe relationship between nursing students' digital game addiction, game playing motivation, and several individual characteristics affecting digital games was found. The study's results call for further research to focus on developing and testing interventions that could effectively reduce gaming addiction while enhancing positive aspects of digital engagement among nursing students.

Video Game Addiction in Young People (8-18 Years Old) after the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Grey Area of Addiction and the Phenomenon of "Gaming Non-Pathological Abuse (GNPA)".

In the literature, video game addiction in youths is correlated with dysfunctional symptoms of anxiety, emotional disorders, and mood disorders, and the pandemic period of 2020-2022 has favored the aggravation of this behavioral addiction. Therefore, we identified the need to analyze this phenomenon with an emphasis on the risks and correlates related to deviance and maladjustment from a prospective perspective, seeking to understand the impact of the individual variables examined. To demonstrate whether the condition of "gaming non-pathological abuse" (GNPA) promotes psychopathological features of clinical interest, in the absence of a diagnosis of "gaming disorder" (GD). A search performed on PubMed and administration of an ad hoc sociological questionnaire were used to investigate individual variables of criminological interest in a representative population sample (531 males/females, 8-18 years old, M: 14.4, SD: 2.5). Statistical analysis showed that after the pandemic period, digital video game addiction was reinforced, feeding psychopathological traits consistent with anxiety, emotional disorders, and mood disorders. Variables correlated with impulsive, aggressive, and violent behavior related to age, gender, socio-environmental and economic background, and the severity of digital video game addiction. In the youth population (8-18 years), "gaming non-pathological abuse" (GNPA) is related to aggressive, impulsive and violent behaviors that foster phenomena of social maladjustment and deviance, especially in individuals living in disadvantaged or otherwise complex socio-economic and family contexts. Looking forward, the study of structural and functional personality profiles is essential in order to anticipate and reduce the future risk of psychopathological and criminal behavior.

Association Between Self-Esteem and Cyber Victimization: The Mediating Roles of Digital Game Playing and Cyberbullying

ABSTRACT Background Today, the intensive use of technology necessitates more research on cyberbullying and victimization among adolescents. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate a proposed model of the associations between self-esteem, digital game playing, cyberbullying, and victimization in early adolescents. Methods A total of 312 early adolescents participated based on the criterion sampling method. The age range of the adolescents was 10–14 years (Mean = 12.63; SD = 0.60). Two-stage structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Bootstrapping analysis was used to test mediation effects. Results The findings revealed the serial mediating relations of digital game playing and cyberbullying in the association between early adolescents’ self-esteem and cyber victimization. Discussion The results emphasize the role of individual differences in adolescents’ self-esteem as a significant factor in cyber victimization. This relationship operates through the behavioral pathways of digital game use and cyberbullying. Translation to Health Education Practice Based on the research findings, health educators can encourage students in this developmental period to establish healthier relationships in the digital world and develop strategies to protect mental health. In this direction, health educators should aim to develop healthy digital gaming habits in students by considering the negative effects of digital game addiction on cyber victimization. For this purpose, educators can organize awareness-raising educational programs against digital game addiction and guide students in determining balanced play times

The Relationship Between Students' Digital Game Addiction and Their Attitudes and Habits Towards Reading

Purpose: The aim is to determine the relationship between middle school students' levels of digital game addiction and their attitudes and habits towards reading. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used a correlational survey model. This model introduces a survey approach aimed at determining the co-variation between two or more variables. The sample group of the study consisted of 324 secondary school students enrolled in the educational year 2023-2024 in the Kaman district of Kırşehir province. Data were collected using the "Digital Game Addiction Scale" and the "Attitude and Habit Scale Towards Reading." Findings: The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 21 software package. Upon examining the findings of the study, it was determined that as students' digital game addiction increased, their attitudes and habits towards reading decreased. Conversely, as digital game addiction decreased, attitudes and habits towards reading increased. Additionally, it was observed that the levels of digital game addiction were higher in male students compared to female students. Highlights: The findings of this study, along with the literature review, indicate that whether they are children or adolescents, if digital games are not played in a controlled manner, it can lead to addiction. A child who has acquired digital game addiction may reduce the time allocated to their studies, start avoiding social environments, and may not be able to develop certain skills that would make them academically successful. It is crucial, especially for parents, to control the duration and type of digital games their children play.

Relationship between awareness of digital game addiction, health literacy, and sociodemographic characteristics of mothers: A structural equation modeling analysis

AimMothers' digital game addiction awareness and their health literacy levels are critical factors for addiction prevention strategies in children. Therefore, the present study is significant. This study examines the relationship between awareness of digital game addiction, health literacy, and the sociodemographic characteristics of mothers. MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 457 mothers of children aged 5–11 years in Turkey. The data were collected using a personal information questionnaire, the Awareness of Digital Game Addiction Scale, and the Health Literacy Scale between May and September 2021. ResultsThis study revealed that mothers are highly aware of digital game addiction and have high health literacy. Furthermore, health literacy was determined to significantly and directly affect awareness of digital gaming addiction. Awareness of digital gaming addiction significantly and directly affects children owning their own technological devices and how much time mothers spend with their children. ConclusionThe study's results confirmed that mothers' health literacy had a positive and statistically significant effect on awareness of digital gaming addiction. As the health literacy levels of mothers increased, the internal and external awareness of digital gaming addiction increased. It is recommended to design intervention programs that increase mothers' awareness of digital game addiction. These programs should be planned according to the health literacy levels of mothers.

The Relationship between School Happiness and Digital Game Addiction

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between primary school students' school happiness and digital game addictions. The study group of this research, which was designed in the relational survey model, consists of 204 fourth-grade primary school students studying in the Pendik district of Istanbul. In the research, the “School Happiness Scale for Primary School Children” developed by Ozdemir et al. (2021) and “The Digital Game Addiction Scale” which was developed by Lemmens, Valkenburg &amp; Peter (2009) and adapted into Turkish by Yalçın-Irmak &amp; Erdoğan (2015), and later whose validity and reliability analyzes were made for primary school children by Oral and Arabacıoglu (2019) were used. According to the research findings, it was found that the students' school happiness was at a moderate level and their digital game addiction was at a high level. Students' school happiness levels and digital game addiction levels do not show significant differences according to their genders. Similarly, the digital game addiction levels of students do not differ statistically according to the gender of their teachers, but the school happiness levels of students with female teachers are statistically significantly higher than those with male teachers. On the other hand, while the digital game addiction levels of the students do not differ significantly according to the school success of the students, the school happiness levels of the students with medium school success are significantly higher than the students with low or very high school success. According to another finding obtained from the research, there is a negative, low, and significant relationship between students' school happiness levels and digital game addiction levels. As a result of the regression analysis, it was seen that school happiness was a significant predictor of digital game addiction. School happiness explains 3% of digital game addiction.

The relationship between physical activity level, digital game addiction, and academic success levels of university students

This study examined the relationship between physical activity, digital game addiction, and academic success among university students. Participants were university 704 students from Turkiye who did physical activity and played digital games. The sample group consisted of 704 university students (342 women and 362 men), selected through random sampling. Data were collected using demographic information forms, a digital game addiction scale, and an international short-form questionnaire about physical activity. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and post-hoc tests. The findings revealed a significant negative relationship between academic success and both physical activity and digital game addiction. Men exhibited higher levels of digital game addiction compared to women, but there was no significant gender difference in physical activity levels. Students who were categorized as academically successful had lower levels of both digital game addiction and physical activity.

The effect of digital game addiction on aggression and anger levels in adolescents: A cross-sectional study

PurposeIn this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of digital game addiction on aggression and anger levels in adolescents. Design and methodsThe participants of this cross-sectional study were adolescents. Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, Game Addiction Scale, and Buss-Perry Aggression Scale. Descriptive statistics, t-test, Anova, correlation and linear regression analysis were used in the analysis of the data. ResultsIn this study, game addiction and aggression levels of adolescents were determined as moderate. The game type that adolescents played the most was determined as war games with 35 %. The mean score of the Game Addiction Scale for male adolescents, those with medium and high income levels, those who play digital games for >8 h a day and every day, was found to be significantly higher. In this study, a positive and moderately significant correlation was found between Game Addiction Scale and Aggression Total Scale and Anger subscale (p < 0.05). Especially male gender (β = 0.273), high income status (β = −0.089), long time playing digital games (β = 0.173) and playing digital games every day (β = 0.360) were determined as predictors that increase game addiction. ConclusionsDigital game addiction can trigger aggression and anger in adolescents. Nurses play a crucial role in screening and identifying adolescents at risk of game addiction to prevent aggression and anger. Practice implicationsAccording to the findings of this research, it is necessary to provide training and counseling to prevent digital game addiction in schools and to plan strategies by psychiatric nurses.

Associations between cognitive disengagement syndrome, Internet addiction, and Internet gaming disorder among medical students – A cross-sectional study

Background: Internet addiction (IA) and gaming disorder (IGD) are emerging public health concerns among youth. Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT)/cognitive disengagement syndrome has been linked with risky online behaviors, but the literature on medical students is limited. Aim: To determine associations between SCT, IA, and IGD in Indian medical undergraduates. Materials and Methods: The study included 303 medical students (ages: 18–24, 66% male). The Sociodemographic Information Form, Barkley SCT Scale, Young Internet Addiction Test-Short Form, and The Digital Game Addiction Scale were utilized to collect data. Contingency Table analyses, Mann–Whitey U-test, Chi-square test, and correlation analyses were used for analysis. Results: The prevalence of IA and IGD was 101 (33.3%) and 61 (20%), respectively. Students with IA or IGD had significantly higher SCT, daydreaming, and sluggishness scores (P &lt; 0.01). SCT, daydreaming, and sluggishness showed significant positive correlations with IA and IGD severity (P &lt; 0.01). Conclusion: Greater SCT symptoms demonstrated significant associations with increased risk of IA and IGD among medical students. Screening for SCT alongside IA and IGD may enable targeted interventions to promote healthy Internet use.

Eating Behavior, Sleep Disorders and Digital Game Addiction in Children and Determination of Associated Factors by CHAID Analysis

Background: Healthy nutrition and good quality sleep are one of the most important factors for growth and development in a child. Digital game addiction may cause some problematic behaviors and affect children's nutrition and sleep. We aimed to investigate the relationship between digital game addiction, eating behavior, and sleep disorders in children. Methods: The study was conducted with 252 mothers with children between the ages of 4-7 years, selected by convenient sampling methods. The Digital Game Addiction Scale, Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire and The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) were used to collect data. The correlation coefficient and the decision tree CHAID algorithm were used in the data analysis. Results: Digital game addiction negatively affects children's eating behavior and sleep patterns. It was found that there was a mostly positive but weakly significant relationship between digital game addiction and children's eating behaviors (P&lt;.01; P&lt;.05) and a highly significant relationship was found between the sleep disorder scale sleep hyperhidrosis sub-dimension (P&lt;.05). While digital game addiction is affected by gender, the mother's education level, and eating behavior are affected by the mother's age, the parent's education level, and the child's gender (P&lt;.05). The child's age is the variable that affects the children's sleep disorder (P&lt;.05). Conclusion: Intervention programs for children and families can be created for the causes of digital game addiction, its effects on child development and the correct use of the digital world.

Investigating the Relationship Between Digital Game Addiction and Health-related Quality of Life of Adolescents

Investigating the Relationship Between Digital Game Addiction and Health-related Quality of Life of Adolescents

The Relationship Between Digital Game Addiction and Levels of Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents Receiving Cancer Treatment.

Adolescents diagnosed with cancer are vulnerable to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress. To examine the relationship between digital game addiction and levels of anxiety and depression in adolescents receiving cancer treatment. This analytical cross-sectional study was carried out with 120 adolescents aged 12-17 years who were receiving cancer treatment. Data were collected using the Digital Game Addiction Scale (DGAS-7) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Data were analyzed using independent-samples t test, 1-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and simple linear regression. The mean age of the adolescents participating in the study was 15.21 ± 1.64 years. The mean DGAS-7 score was 15.19 ± 5.58, whereas the mean HADS Anxiety subscale score was 8.54 ± 4.33, and the mean HADS Depression subscale score was 7.72 ± 3.96. A positive, statistically significant relationship was found between the DGAS-7 mean score and the HADS Anxiety and Depression subscale mean scores (P < .001). As the addiction levels increased in adolescents diagnosed with cancer, their anxiety and depression levels also increased. Health professionals should be mindful that in adolescents diagnosed and treated for cancer, digital game addiction and levels of anxiety and depression may mutually reinforce each other.

Anyone with A Charger? Correlation of Nomophobia, Leisure Boredom and Quality of Life in Youth at University

Aim: Along with affecting our daily lives and habits majorly, rapidly developing technology is known to increase the leisure boredom of youth in case they stay away from the technology. The fear of staying away from smartphones which is the most important material of portable technology is described as a recent disturbance and even a “a disorder of the modern world” (King et.al., 2010). In order for smartphones which have a significant place to meet the needs of life with aims such as pandemics, earthquakes etc. not to become an illness, it is important to investigate the reasons behind it. Considering these, the aim of the current study is to compare the digital game addiction, leisure boredom and quality of life of the students of Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University in terms of different variables and to evaluate the correlation and effect sizes of these scales. Method: The study group consists of 405 university students (Meanage = 21.71± 4.13) studying at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University 239 of which are female (Meanage = 21.69± 4.30) and 166 of which are male (Meanage = 21.74± 3.88). As data collection tool, Leisure Boredom Scale (LBS) (Iso-Ahola &amp; Weissinger 1990; Kara et.al, 2014), Nomophobia Scale (NFS) (Yıldırım &amp; Correia 2015; Yıldırım et.al, 2016) and Quality of Life Scale – Short Form (QOL-SF) (Eser et.al, 2010) were used. In the analysis of the obtained data, descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation and regression tests were used. To determine the reliability of scales, Cronbach Alpha intern coefficients were calculated. Findings: When the analysis results were evaluated, it is determined that there is a statistically significant difference in the total scores of LBS, NFS and QOL-SF in terms of “having difficulty in evaluating leisure”, “participation frequency in physical activity” and “evaluating oneself as smartphone addict”. Also, it is determined there is a statistically significant difference in the total scores of LBS and NFS in terms of “use of smartphone times/hour” (p&lt;0.01). According to the Pearson correlation analysis, there is a positive and medium level correlation between NFS and LBS whereas there is a negative and low level of correlation between NFS and QOL-SF. Also, there is a negative and medium level of correlation between LBS and QOL-SF. The data showed that NFS has a negative impact on QOL-SF LBS has a negative impact on QOL-SF, and NFS has a positive impact on LBS. Conclusion: It is concluded that the group which has no difficulty in making use of leisure, who participates in physical activity regularly, who has less connection with their smartphones and who doesn’t see themselves as smartphone addicts have lower levels of leisure boredom perception and nomophobia whereas they have higher levels of quality of life. The fear of losing connections increases the level of boredom perception in students and it decreases the quality of life. Also, quality of life decreases due to the increase in boredom perception.

The Relationship between Digital Game Addiction Tendency and Depressive Symptoms in Children (36-72 Months).

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between digital game addiction tendency and depressive symptoms in children (36-72 months). Method: We conducted this research in a virtual environment with the mothers of 747 children (36-72 months). A predictive evaluation was performed using a simple regression analysis between the mean scores of the Digital Game Addiction Tendency Scale (DGATS) and the Child Depressive Symptoms Assessment Scale (CDSAS). Results: A total of 53.9% of children reported that they play games for 3-24 h a day. The average duration of children playing digital games was 2.86 ± 1.86 h per day. The total mean score of the CDSAS was 142.48 ± 27.36. The total mean score the children received from DGATS was 46.34 ± 17.28. In the regression analysis, it was determined that there was a strong positive correlation between the (DGATS) total score average and the (CDSAS) total score average (R = 0.52, R2 = 0.27, p < 0.05). Accordingly, digital game addiction tendency explains 27% of children's depressive symptoms. Conclusions: When the standardized beta coefficient and t values are examined, it can be said that digital game addiction tendency is a significant predictor of children's depressive symptoms.

 Adaptation of the Child-Adolescent Digital Addiction Scale (CADAS) to the Turkish Culture: A Validity and Reliability Study

Purpose: Digital addiction has become one of the types of behavioral addiction that has started to affect all segments of society starting from early childhood. In this context, it was deemed necessary to adapt the Child-Adolescent Digital Addiction Scale (CADAS) to determine the digital addiction levels of school-age children&#x0D; &#x0D; Design &amp; Methodology: Within the scope of adaptation, data were collected from 305 students from 4th to 12th grades (Mage = 14.14, SD = 2.40) for exploratory factor analysis (EFA), 301 students (Mage = 13.36, SD = 2.16) for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and 372 students (Mage = 12.26, SD = 1.55) for criterion validity. Data were collected face-to-face and online voluntarily. &#x0D; &#x0D; Findings: EFA and CFA were used to determine the validity level of the scale. For criterion validity, the correlation obtained from the Digital Game Addiction Scale (r=.77) and the Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents (r=.74) was examined. Cronbach alpha (.875) and McDonald ω (.872) values were calculated for the reliability of the scale. In addition, the corrected item-total correlations of the scale ranged between .66 and .85.&#x0D; &#x0D; Implications &amp; Suggestions: The findings of the study show that CADAS is valid and reliable for Turkish culture.

Recreational awareness prevents digital game addiction associated with social exclusion in adolescents

ABSTRACT Digital game addiction has become an important topic in recent years, and research into this area is constantly expanding because of the vast popularity of video games. These studies examine the physical, psychological, and social origins of digital game addiction to better understand the issues that might result from it. The current study seeks to shed light on the preventative impact of recreational awareness on digital game addiction linked to social exclusion within this context. Data were gathered through an online survey method, and a total of 346 Turkish adolescents (ages 15–18) were included in the sample. The findings revealed that recreational awareness had a negative moderating effect on the relationship between social exclusion and digital game addiction. Moreover, it was determined that men had higher levels of digital game addiction compared to women and women had higher levels of social exclusion compared to men. The results obtained from the research have been discussed in the relevant section, and recommendations have been formulated considering the outcomes.

The Intermediary Role of Searching for Meaning in Young Adults in the Relationship Between Loneliness and Digital Game Addiction

The Intermediary Role of Searching for Meaning in Young Adults in the Relationship Between Loneliness and Digital Game Addiction