Game Exposure Research Articles

The STEM Selfing Process: Nondigital and Digital Determinants of Aspirational STEM Futures

This article takes a fresh approach to analyzing the nondigital and digital sources of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) intent among low–socioeconomic status (SES) high school students attending a Title I public high school in agricultural California. Through a hybrid quantitative–qualitative analysis of data, STEM intent is examined vis-à-vis the selfing process. STEM intent is conceptualized as the product of identity work that can be supported by digital engagements of diverse types. STEM identity is built and reinforced by exposure to digital resources at home, aspirations related to computer programming, and digital activities, particularly programming and/or gaming for at least one hour per week. The linkages are demonstrated quantitatively through logistic regression models and qualitatively with excerpts from in-depth interviews with matched STEM intent students. The regression models show that both nondigital factors and digital engagements influence the odds of expressing STEM intent among high school seniors. As the qualitative analysis demonstrates, these determinants are intimately linked to identity work in which STEM intent students imagine themselves as creators in STEM fields. Digital engagements such as programming, gaming, and internet exposure all play a crucial part in the STEM selfing process in which students imagine their future STEM selves by bringing to life the role of STEM creator. In the article’s concluding discussion these findings are developed in a new theoretical direction as evidence for the agentic technological self.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in the National Hockey League: Epidemiology and Performance Impact.

To determine the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the National Hockey League (NHL) and to examine the effects of this injury on return-to-play status and performance. Case series; level of evidence, 4. This was a 2-phase study. Phase I used the NHL electronic injury surveillance system and Athlete Health Management System to collect data on ACL injuries and man games lost over 10 seasons (2006/2007-2015/2016). Data collected in phase I were received in deidentified form. Phase II examined the performance impact of an ACL injury. Players were identified through publically available sources, and performance-related statistics were analyzed. Data collected in phase II were not linked to data collected in phase I. A paired t test was used to determine any difference in the matching variables between controls and cases in the preinjury time period. A General linear model (mixed) was used to determine the performance impact. Phase I: 67 ACL injuries occurred over 10 seasons. The incidence for all players was 0.42/1000 player game hours (forward, 0.61; defenseman, 0.32, goalie, 0.08) and by game exposure was 0.2/1000 player game exposures (forward, 0.33; defenseman, 0.11; goalie, 0.07). Forwards had a greater incidence rate of ACL tears with both game hours and game exposures when compared with defensemen and goalies (P < 0.001, <0.001; P = 0.008, <0.001, respectively). Phase II: 70 ACL tears (60 players) were identified. Compared with controls, players who suffered an ACL tear demonstrated a decrease in goals/season (P < 0.04), goals/game (P < 0.015), points/season (0.007), and points/game (0.001). Number of games and seasons played after an ACL injury did not differ compared with controls (P = 0.068, 0.122, respectively). Anterior cruciate ligament injuries occur infrequently, as it relates to other hockey injuries. Despite a high return to play, the performance after an ACL injury demonstrated a decrease in points and goals per game and per season.

Violent video game exposure and (Cyber)bullying perpetration among Chinese youth: The moderating role of trait aggression and moral identity

Previous studies have shown that violent video game exposure is associated with aggression; however, little is known about the relationship between video game violence exposure and (cyber)bullying. Therefore, we examined the association between violent video game exposure and (cyber)bullying, and whether a risk factor (i.e., trait aggression) and protective factor (i.e., moral identity) moderate this relationship. Study 1 examined traditional bullying among 3707 adolescents (50.4% boys; Mage = 14.84 years, SD = 1.51), and Study 2 examined cyberbullying among 3610 college students (52.9% men; Mage = 19.48 years, SD = 1.40). The results showed that violent video game exposure was positively correlated with bullying and cyberbullying. Further, trait aggression and moral identity moderated this relationship. Specifically, this relationship was stronger among those with high vs. low levels of trait aggression, and weaker among those with high vs. low levels of moral identity. These results support the contentions of the General Aggression Model, suggesting that the interaction between situational and personal variables predicts (cyber)bullying. Thus, trait aggression and moral identity should be considered in prevention and intervention strategies that aim to attenuate bullying and cyberbullying perpetration.

Examining influences of chronic violent game exposure on external attention and sense of presence

Examining influences of chronic violent game exposure on external attention and sense of presence

Violent video games exposure and aggression: The role of moral disengagement, anger, hostility, and disinhibition.

Based on the General Aggression Model (GAM), the current study investigated the interactive effect of personal factors (e.g., sensation‐seeking) and situational factors (e.g., violent video games exposure [VVGE]) on the trait aggressive behavior, and the mediating role of individual difference trait (e.g., moral disengagement, anger, and hostility). We recruited 547 undergraduates (48.45% male) from five Chinese universities. The results showed that VVGE was positively associated with moral disengagement, disinhibition, and the four aggressive traits (physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility), which were positively associated with each other. Moral disengagement was positively associated with both the disinhibition and the four aggressive traits. Disinhibition was positively associated with the four aggressive traits as well. When controlled for gender, moral disengagement, anger, and hostility wholly mediated the relationship between VVGE and aggression, but the moderation effect of disinhibition was not significant. These findings support the framework of GAM and indicate that moral disengagement, anger, and hostility may be the factors that increase the risk of a higher level of aggression following repeated exposure to violent video games.

Relationships Among Violent and Non-Violent Video Games, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, and Aggression in Female and Male Gamers

This study examines the differences in anxiety, self-esteem, and aggression levels between players of violent and non-violent video game and its connection to gender and age. This survey-based research utilizes survey data from 851 video gamers. The study included 61% men and 39% women. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 45. Participants were administered an anonymous survey including demographics, a questionnaire for video game habits, Rosenberg's self-esteem scale, a state anxiety inventory (STAI-S), and the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). The results revealed significant differences between males and females, as well as between younger and older gamers. Despite the majority of research showing a positive relationship between violent video game exposure and aggression levels, the results suggest that of the preference for a violent video game over a non-violent one is not, in itself, a cause for increased anxiety, self-esteem, and aggression levels.

Relating video game exposure, sensation seeking, aggression and socioeconomic factors to school performance

ABSTRACT The time displacement hypothesis has been widely used to explain the effects of media use on academic performance. This approach has been criticised for its monocausality and weak explanatory power. Utilising a combination of different theoretical perspectives is better suited than utilising only one. Considering displacement, excitement, attraction and third variable hypothesis, this paper argues that the relation between video game use and school performance is not the same for all types of gamers by considering the influence of socioeconomic, psychological and contextual factors. It investigates how gaming patterns (frequency, time of day) and psychological characteristics (sensation seeking, aggression) are related to academic performance for primary and secondary school students. Five hundred and seven students from five primary and four secondary schools in Singapore participated in a paper-pencil survey. Results showed support for a combination of displacement and third variable hypothesis, as overall time spent on video games was negatively associated with primary school children’s and active gamers’ school performances. There was no significant relationship for secondary school children. For primary school children who play games in the morning and afternoon, video game use was negatively associated with school performance. There was no support for the attraction and excitement hypotheses.

Female Video Game Players and the Protective Effect of Feminist Identity Against Internalized Misogyny

Video games often contain sexist content that may be connected to negative consequences for female video game players, such as internalizing negative attitudes and beliefs about women. However, aspects of feminist identification may prevent such negative outcomes from occurring. The present study investigated the relationships among time spent playing video games, internalized misogyny, and the synthesis dimension of feminist identity, which is characterized by embracing the positive aspects of being a woman and incorporating feminine attributes into one’s own unique personality. A total of 319 U.S. female video game players completed measures of media usage, internalized misogyny, and feminist identity. The authors tested a moderation model in which gaming predicted internalized misogyny and synthesis moderated this relationship. Gaming was positively associated with internalized misogyny at lower, but not higher, levels of synthesis. Thus, those who value the positive aspects of womanhood and have thoughtful and realistic perceptions of gender may be resistant to internalizing some harmful beliefs about women perpetuated in games. The present study provides evidence for the potential negative influence of cumulative video game exposure for some women and the protective effect of feminist identity synthesis. Counselors and activists should do work aimed at critically evaluating and challenging gendered messages in video games and affirming women’s gender identities and feminine attributes. Game developers must consider the impact of their content on players and strive to create female characters that are agentic, complex, and competent. Conversely, gamers should avoid supporting games with depthless depictions of women.

Risk Factors for Initial and Subsequent Core or Lower Extremity Sprain or Strain Among Collegiate Football Players.

Exposure to game conditions and previous injury are known to increase the risk of injury, but little available evidence pertains to modifiable factors that may mediate dynamic control of body segments, such as core muscle endurance and neurocognitive capabilities. To identify potentially modifiable factors associated with the occurrence of a core or lower extremity sprain or strain during participation in football. Prospective cohort study. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football program. All team members who participated for the duration of 1 season or both of 2 consecutive seasons (n = 142). Predictors of injury occurrence were derived from analysis of preparticipation data that included the results of front plank hold (FPH) and neurocognitive tests. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to establish binary classifications of injury risk. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to build multivariable injury-prediction models for optimal discriminatory power. Exceptionally good discrimination between injured and noninjured participants was provided by models that included the results of the FPH and ImPACT neurocognitive tests. A high level of exposure to game conditions and injury during the preceding year magnified the effects of other risk factors. A model for identifying players with an elevated risk for injury occurrence during both of 2 consecutive seasons included FPH ≤120 seconds, verbal memory score ≤87, composite reaction time ≥560 milliseconds, and starter status. Having ≥2 of the 4 risk factors demonstrated 44% sensitivity and 91% specificity, with an odds ratio = 8.40. Core muscle endurance and neurocognitive processes may both play important roles in generating anticipatory muscle stiffness during participation in collegiate football. These factors may be particularly important for players who sustained an injury during the previous year and those who have a high level of game exposure.

Verifying Head Impacts Recorded by a Wearable Sensor using Video Footage in Rugby League: a Preliminary Study

BackgroundRugby league is a full-contact collision sport with an inherent risk of concussion. Wearable instrumented technology was used to observe and characterize the level of exposure to head impacts during game play.PurposeTo verify the impacts recorded by the x-patch™ with video analysis.Study designObservational case series.MethodsThe x-patch™ was used on eight men’s semi-professional rugby league players during the 2016 Newcastle Rugby League competition (five forwards and three backs). Game day footage was recorded by a trained videographer using a single camera located at the highest midfield location to verify the impact recorded by the x-patch™. Videographic and accelerometer data were time synchronized.ResultsThe x-patch™ sensors recorded a total of 779 impacts ≥ 20 g during the games, of which 732 (94.0%) were verified on video. In addition, 817 impacts were identified on video that did not record an impact on the sensors. The number of video-verified impacts ≥ 20 g, per playing hour, was 7.8 for forwards and 4.8 for backs (range = 3.9–19.0). Impacts resulting in a diagnosed concussion had much greater peak linear acceleration (M = 76.1 g, SD = 17.0) than impacts that did not result in a concussion (M = 34.2g, SD = 18.0; Cohen’s d = 2.4).ConclusionsThe vast majority (94%) of impacts ≥ 20 g captured by the x-patch™ sensor were video verified in semi-professional rugby league games. The use of a secondary source of information to verify impact events recorded by wearable sensors is beneficial in clarifying game events and exposure levels.

Effects of Game Performance on Softball Pitchers and Catchers.

Oliver, GD, Plummer, HA, Washington, JK, Weimar, WH, and Brambeck, A. Effects of game performance on softball pitchers and catchers. J Strength Cond Res 33(2): 466-473, 2019-The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of game exposure on pitchers and catchers' hip and glenohumeral range of motion (ROM), isometric strength, and vertical jump performance and power. Five college female softball pitchers (174.24 ± 7.53 cm; 82.10 ± 11.27 kg; 20 ± 1.82 years) and 4 catchers (165.10 ± 9.04 kg; 68.61 ± 3.87 cm; 20 ± 1.41 years) participated. Hip and glenohumeral rotational ROM; hip and glenohumeral rotational isometric strength; hip abduction and adduction strength; and vertical jump height were assessed pre- and postgame exposure. The catchers displayed significantly greater throwing side hip internal rotation (IR) ROM (mean difference = +6.88°, p = 0.03) postgame exposure, whereas the pitchers exhibited less IR (mean difference = -2.02%, p = 0.013) and external rotation (ER; mean difference = -1.95%, p = 0.026) strength in the nonthrowing side hip pre vs. postgame exposure. The performance demands of pitchers and catchers vary greatly, causing position-specific decreases/increases in various tests following game performance. Pitchers exhibited significant decreases in nonthrowing side hip IR and ER strength. In catchers, throwing side hip IR ROM significantly increased following game exposure. Further evaluation of ROM, strength, and power is necessary as it is unknown how these changes following a game affect sports performance or risk of injury.

Thalamic morphometric changes induced by first-person action videogame training.

Cross-sectional data suggest videogaming as promoting modifications in perceptual and cognitive skills of players, as well as inducing structural brain changes. However, whether such changes are both possible after a systematic gaming exposure, and last beyond the training period, is not known. Here, we originally quantified immediate and long-lasting cognitive and morphometric impact of a systematic gaming experience on a first-person shooter (FPS) game. Thirty-five healthy participants, assigned to a videogaming and a control group, underwent a cognitive assessment and structural magnetic resonance imaging at baseline (T0), immediatelypost-gaming (T1) and after 3months (T2). Enhancements of cognitive performance were found on perceptual and attentional measures at both T1 and T2. Morphometric analysis revealed immediate structural changes involving bilateral medial and posterior thalamic nuclei, as well as bilateral superior temporal gyrus, right precentral gyrus, and left middle occipital gyrus. Notably, significant changes in pulvinar volume were still present at T2, while a voxel-wise regression analysis also linked baseline pulvinar volume and individual changes in gaming performance. Present findings extend over the notion that videogame playing might impact cognitive and brain functioning in a beneficial way, originally showing long-term brain structural changes even months after gaming practice. The involvement of posterior thalamic structures highlights a potential link between FPS games and thalamo-cortical networks related to attention mechanisms and multisensory integration processing.

Long-Term Effects of In-Game Purchases and Event Game Mechanics on Young Mobile Social Game Players in Japan

Background. The mobile game market has been rapidly growing worldwide, especially in Japan. Because mobile games often use a free-to-play business model that involves additional in-game purchases, some monetary and event mechanics of mobile games have been controversial in Japan. Purpose. This study explored the long-term effects of monetary and event features of game mechanics on pathological gaming, weekly exposure and monthly expenditure among teenagers and young adults in Japan. Method. A total of 948 teenagers and young adults participated two surveys in November 2013 and in May 2014. Pathological gaming, weekly game exposure, monthly expenditure and preference for gambling were measured. The participants listed up to three games they played, and their monetary and event mechanics were analysed using content analysis. The degrees of exposure to each mechanics were calculated by combining the content analysis with a longitudinal study. Results. Players who were exposed to a higher amount of limited-time only gacha, a virtual lottery machine, were likely to spend more money six months later. However, players who were exposed to a lower amount of normal gacha were likely to spend more money later among players who preferred gambling. No monetary effects on pathological gaming per se were found. Conclusion. This study shows that some game mechanics can cause excessive use of time and money for certain players.

A longitudinal study of link between exposure to violent video games and aggression in Chinese adolescents: The mediating role of moral disengagement.

Although adolescents around the world play video games, little is known about their longitudinal effects on adolescents from Eastern countries. This large longitudinal violent video game study has 4 strengths. First, it is the first longitudinal study conducted with Chinese adolescents. Second, it examines moral disengagement as a possible mediating variable. Because violent video games reward immoral behaviors (e.g., stealing cars, killing characters), they might lead players to believe immoral behaviors are "no big deal." These moral disengagement beliefs might "bleed over" from the virtual world to the real world after the game is turned off, by increasing subsequent aggression. Third, it tests the hypothesis that violent video game effects are stronger for early adolescents than for late adolescents, and for males than for females. Fourth, it separates between-person effects from within-person effects. The theoretical foundation for the study is Social Cognitive Theory, which proposes that 3 interacting components determine what events result in observational learning: (a) context (i.e., violent video game exposure), (b) personal cognition (i.e., moral disengagement), and (c) behavioral outcome (i.e., aggression). Participants in this 3-wave (each wave was 6 months apart) longitudinal study were 1,340 Chinese adolescents (45.1% boys) 12- to 19-years-old (M = 14.86, SD = 1.50). Moral disengagement was a significant mediator of the longitudinal relationship between violent game exposure and aggression in the cross-lagged panel and between-person analyses, but not in the within-person analysis. As expected, effects were stronger for early adolescents than for late adolescents, especially between persons. However, gender did not moderate the effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Cyberbullying Victimization : The Risk of Playing Online Games on Adolescents

Online games have become one of the most popular entertainments among adolescents. Instead of being used as a form of entertainment, sometimes online games become a medium of verbal violence or better known as cyberbullying. This study sought to find out whether adolescents who play online games have a greater tendency to become victims of cyberbullying, compared to adolescents who do not play online games. A survey is used by distributing questionnaires to 299 high school students. The results of this study indicate that there is an association between online games exposure and the tendency to become victims of cyberbullying. Adolescents who play online games have a greater tendency to become cyberbullying victims. This finding has implications for prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing cyberbullying.

Teaching Facial Expression Production in Autism: The Serious Game JEMImE

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show impairment in producing facial expressions adapted to social contexts. Several serious games have been computed to help them dealing with facial expression recognition but very few focused on facial expression production adapted to a given social context. Method: JEMImE is a new serious game which aims to help the player to learn how to produce happiness, anger and sadness in a 3D virtual environment with social situations that should be resolved by producing the correct facial expression. He is guided in the game thanks to facial expression feedback and gauges that help him evaluating the quality of his/her production in real time. The feedbacks on the children productions are timely given by a facial expression recognition algorithm integrated in JEMImE architecture. Specific attention was paid to the visual and motivational aspects of the game. Using a brief feasibility study with children with ASD (N = 23), we evaluated the impression of the players on the game aspect and the possibility to insert algorithmic feedbacks in real time inside JEMImE. Results: During the training phase, children with ASD showed a significant progression during training for facial expression production after algorithmic autonomous feedbacks. This means children understand the challenge and that the algorithmic feedbacks are transparent enough to allow gaming. They expressed an overall good subjective experience with JEMImE in terms of ergonomics, playability, visual aspect and motivation. Conclusion: We conclude that the beta-version of JEMImE shows promising potential and that research should proceed on computing more games and scenarios to offer a longer game exposure to children to allow adequate clinical validation.

Association between internet gaming addiction and leukocyte telomere length in Korean male adolescents

Internet gaming addiction (IGA) has been associated with many negative health outcomes, especially for youth. In particular, the potential association between IGA and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) has yet to be examined. In this study we compared LTL in Korean male adolescents with and without IGA and examined the association between LTL and autonomic functions. Specifically, plasma catecholamine, serum cortisol, and psychological stress levels were measured as autonomic functions. Data were collected using participant blood samples analyzed for LTL, catecholamine, and cortisol levels and a set of questionnaires to assess IGA and psychological stress levels of the participants. The LTL measurements were made using a qPCR-based technique, and the relative LTL was calculated as the telomere/single copy (T/S) ratio. T/S ratio was significantly shorter in the IGA group than in the non-IGA group (150.43 ± 6.20 and 187.23 ± 6.42, respectively; p < .001) after adjusting for age. In a univariate regression analysis, age, daily Internet gaming time, IGA score, and catecholamine level (epinephrine and norepinephrine) were significantly associated with T/S ratio. However, duration of Internet gaming exposure, dopamine, cortisol, and psychological stress levels were not found to be associated with T/S ratio. In the final multiple linear regression model, age, daily Internet gaming time, and epinephrine level showed statistically significant relationships with T/S ratio. Our results indicate that in addition to age, involvement in excessive Internet gaming may induce LTL shortening in male adolescents, which may be partially attributable to changes in autonomic function such as catecholamine level. These findings further understanding of the health effects of IGA and highlight the need for screening and intervention strategies for male adolescents with IGA.

Prosocial video game as an intimate partner violence prevention tool among youth: A randomised controlled trial

Evidence demonstrates that exposure to prosocial video games can increase players' prosocial behaviour, prosocial thoughts, and empathic responses. Prosocial gaming has also been used to reduce gender-based violence among young people, but the use of video games to this end as well as evaluations of their effectiveness are rare. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a context-specific, prosocial video game, Jesse, in increasing affective and cognitive responsiveness (empathy) towards victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) among children and adolescents (N = 172, age range 9–17 years, M = 12.27, SD = 2.26). A randomised controlled trial was conducted in seven schools in Barbados. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental (prosocial video game) or control (standard school curriculum) condition. Experimental and control group enrolled 86 participants each. Girls and boys in the experimental condition, but not their counterparts in the control condition, recorded a significant increase in affective responsiveness after intervention. This change was sustained one week after game exposure. No significant effects were recorded for cognitive responsiveness. Findings suggest that Jesse is a promising new IPV prevention tool among girls and boys, which can be used in educational settings.

Verifying head impacts recorded by a wearable sensor using video footage in Rugby league: A preliminary study

Rugby league is a full-contact collision sport with an inherent risk of concussion. Wearable instrumented technology was used to observe and characterize the level of exposure to head impacts during game play. To verify the impacts recorded by the x-patch™ with video analysis. Observational case series. The x-patch™ was used on eight men’s semi-professional rugby league players during the 2016 Newcastle Rugby League competition (five forwards and three backs). Game day footage was recorded by a trained videographer using a single camera located at the highest midfield location to verify the impact recorded by the x-patch™. Videographic and accelerometer data were time synchronized. The x-patch™ sensors recorded a total of 779 impacts ≥ 20 g during the games, of which 732 (94.0%) were verified on video. In addition, 817 impacts were identified on video that did not record an impact on the sensors. The number of video-verified impacts ≥ 20 g, per playing hour, was 7.8 for forwards and 4.8 for backs (range = 3.9–19.0). Impacts resulting in a diagnosed concussion had much greater peak linear acceleration (M = 76.1 g, SD = 17.0) than impacts that did not result in a concussion (M = 34.2g, SD = 18.0; Cohen’s d = 2.4). The vast majority (94%) of impacts ≥ 20 g captured by the x-patch™ sensor were video verified in semi-professional rugby league games. The use of a secondary source of information to verify impact events recorded by wearable sensors is beneficial in clarifying game events and exposure levels.

Measuring ERP and STRT using probe stimulus technique to investigate influences of violent game exposure on information processing

Measuring ERP and STRT using probe stimulus technique to investigate influences of violent game exposure on information processing