Game Exposure Research Articles

The impact of acute violent videogame exposure on neurocognitive markers of empathic concern.

Research examining the purported association between violent gaming and aggression remains controversial due to concerns related to methodology, unclear neurocognitive mechanisms, and the failure to adequately consider the role of individual differences in susceptibility. To help address these concerns, we used fMRI and an emotional empathy task to examine whether acute and cumulative violent gaming exposure were associated with abnormalities in emotional empathy as a function of trait-empathy. Emotional empathy was targeted given its involvement in regulating not only aggression, but also other important social functions such as compassion and prosocial behaviour. We hypothesized that violent gaming exposure increases the risk of aberrant social behaviour by altering the aversive value of distress cues. Contrary to expectations, neither behavioural ratings nor empathy-related brain activity varied as a function of violent gaming exposure. Notably, however, activation patterns in somatosensory and motor cortices reflected an interaction between violent gaming exposure and trait empathy. Thus, our results are inconsistent with a straightforward relationship between violent gaming exposure and reduced empathy. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of considering both individual differences in susceptibility and other aspects of cognition related to social functioning to best inform public concern regarding safe gaming practices.

Competitive Video Game Exposure Increases Aggression Through Impulsivity in Chinese Adolescents: Evidence From a Multi-Method Study.

It is widely known controversies about the results of violent video game increase aggression. However, the role of competitive video games, has received less research attention, and the underlying mechanisms of their influence are unknown. This study aimed to expand the existing literature by systematically exploring the effects of competitive video game exposure on adolescent aggression and the mediating role of impulsivity. In so doing, three types of studies (collectively N = 2919, mean age varied from 13.75 to 15.44 years, with a balanced gender) combining cross-sectional, experimental, and longitudinal approaches, were conducted. The findings consistently show that competitive video game exposure increased adolescents' aggression and impulsivity. Also, impulsivity mediated the correlation and long-term effect of competitive video game exposure on aggression. However, the experimental study did not confirm the short-term mediating effect of impulsivity, which may be related to the type of aggression measured in the study. The results indicate that competitive video game exposure is an important antecedent factor for adolescent aggression, and impulsivity is the key underlying mechanism.

The Cognition-Impairing Effect of Video Games in Adolescents

The use of video games among adolescents has become a prevalent form of entertainment and leisure activity in today’s digital age. However, the impact of extensive video game exposure on the cognitive development of young individuals is a topic of growing concern. Understanding how video games affect various aspects of cognition, such as attention, memory, problem-solving skills, and academic performance, is crucial for educators, parents, and healthcare professionals. This review delves into the cognition-impairing effects of video games in adolescents, exploring the research findings, challenges, and potential strategies to mitigate the negative consequences on cognitive function.

Individualized monitoring of longitudinal heading exposure in soccer

There is growing concern that repetitive soccer headers may have negative long-term consequences on brain health. However, inconsistent and low-quality heading exposure measurements limit past investigations of this effect. Here we conducted a comprehensive heading exposure analysis across all players on a university women’s soccer team for over two calendar years (36 unique athletes), quantifying both game and practice exposure during all in-season and off-season periods, with over ten thousand video-confirmed headers. Despite an average of approximately 2 headers per day, players’ daily exposures ranged from 0 to 45 headers, accumulating to highly variable total exposure of 2–223 headers over each in-season/off-season period. Overall, practices and off-season periods accounted for 70% and 45% of headers, respectively. Impact sensor data showed that heading kinematics fell within a tight distribution, but sensors could not capture full heading exposure due to factors such as compliance. With first-of-its-kind complete heading exposure data, we recommend exposure assessments be made on an individual level and include practice/off-season collection in addition to games and competitive seasons. Commonly used group statistics do not capture highly variable exposures, and individualized complete heading exposure tracking needs to be incorporated in future study designs for confirming the potential brain injury risk associated with soccer heading.

Psychological distress and aggression among adolescents with internet gaming disorder symptoms

The present study aimed to investigate the current situation of internet gaming disorder (IGD) in Chinese adolescents and explore the impact of IGD-related factors on adolescent aggression. We hypothesized that IGD symptoms in adolescents would be associated with aggressive behavior and that risk factors for IGD symptoms could increase the aggressive tendencies of adolescents. To verify the above hypothesis, a cross-sectional survey of junior and senior high school students from southern, southwestern, central, and eastern China was conducted. A total of 9306 valid questionnaires were collected. The results showed that the prevalence of IGD symptoms was 1.78 % among Chinese adolescents. The adolescents in the disordered gamer group had the most severe IGD symptoms, with the highest levels of psychological distress and aggression. Interestingly, adolescents in the casual gamer group had the lowest psychological distress and aggression scores. Linear regression analysis further showed that higher levels of aggression were significantly associated with male sex, younger age, more severe psychological distress and IGD symptoms, and more violent game exposure. Our results suggested that excessive online gaming not only contributes to psychological distress in adolescents but also increases their levels of aggressive behavior. Apart from male sex and younger age, severe IGD symptoms and psychological distress are the most important predictors of the development of aggressive behavior.

The social contagious effects of violent video game play: retaliatory, displaced, and the mere observation of aggression

ABSTRACT Aggression and violence have been shown to spread among connected individuals. The present experimental study aims to test whether exposure to violent video games increases aggression levels in players and whether this increased aggression spreads among their social network. Results showed that aggression after video game play is indeed contagious and that not only victims of the player’s aggression retaliate or are aggressive toward a neutral person (i.e., displaced aggression), but that even mere observers of the player’s aggression are aggressive toward a neutral person. Overall, our findings suggest that violent video game exposure may not only have an impact on the player’s level of aggression, but also on people who are connected to the player.

Violent online game contact and academic procrastination: A moderated mediation model

AbstractResearchers have found that violent online game addiction has become a serious global problem that negatively affects younger people. This study used a cross‐sectional research design to examine the effects of violent online game contact on individuals' academic procrastination. We further explored the mediating role of emotional self‐regulation and the moderating role of peer communication in the link between violent online game contact and academic procrastination. A sample of 1132 students completed self‐reported questionnaires regarding violent online game contact, emotional self‐regulation, peer communication, and academic procrastination. Participants were randomly selected from Guangdong Province, China. Results indicated that violent online game contact was positively correlated with academic procrastination, while emotional self‐regulation indirectly affected the relationship. Peer communication played a moderating role in the indirect effect between emotional self‐regulation and academic procrastination. The general pattern of this mechanism illustrates that as peer communication increased, the effects of emotional self‐regulation on academic procrastination decreased. The findings elucidate how and for whom violent online game exposure is related to academic procrastination. This research demonstrates that violent game contact is an important factor affecting academic procrastination, clarifies the role of peer communication and emotional self‐regulation, and provides practical suggestions for preventing academic procrastination in the field of school psychology.

Desensitized gamers? Violent video game exposure and empathy for pain in adolescents – an ERP study

ABSTRACTThis Event-Related Potential (ERP) study aimed to test how habitual and short-term violent video game exposure (VVGE) may affect empathy for pain responses in adolescents. In a within-subjects design, boys (N = 56; aged 12–16 years) performed a pain judgment task before and immediately after playing a violent video game. In this task, participants judged whether photos of hands depicted on their screen were in a painful situation or not. While both the P3 and the LPP components were not related to habitual violent video game exposure, general exposure to antisocial media content predicted lower P3 amplitudes to painful pictures. Further, 40 min of violent gameplay did not affect the P3 responses; however, it temporarily decreased LPP responses to painful pictures, suggesting a modest short-term desensitization effect. However, this latter interpretation is limited by a strong LPP pain effect – a significant amplitude difference between painful and non-painful pictures – that remained present in the post-game condition. Such persistent LPP effect may relate to the notion that adolescents are still learning how to properly regulate their emotional reactions. This study contributes to the limited literature on violent video games’ desensitization in adolescents’ brains, opening new avenues for media violence research.

The effect of action and casual video games on visual reaction time and accommodation in non-gamers

Aim: To understand the effect of video games on non-gamers’ visual reaction time (VRT) and Accommodation. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate the effect of video games on VRT and Accommodation in non-gamers. Subjects between the age of 18-28 years with BCVA 0.0 LogMAR; 0.63M were enrolled in this study. A written consent was obtained. Subjects having binocular vision anomalies, systemic diseases, learning disabilities, and dry eyes were excluded from the study. All subjects underwent a comprehensive eye exam. In addition, VRT and Accommodation were measured pre and post exposure to video games. VRT was assessed with PEBL (Psychology Experiment Building Language) and WAM open field autorefractor was used to measure Accommodation. Result: 17 subjects (15 females and 2 males) participated in the study with the mean age of 21 ± 1.70 years. In the action video game group, mean VRT decreased significantly from 362.56±31.68ms to 348.75±31.35ms post video game exposure (p<0.05). The mean VRT in casual video game group pre video game exposure was 358±29.56ms and post was 353.89±26.8ms (p>0.05). The accommodative response exhibits a significant change, with pre-exposure mean of -0.98D and post exposure mean of -1.20D (p<0.05). Conclusion: Action video games were found to enhance VRT significantly, making them a potential tool for activities requiring rapid reactions. While casual video games also improved VRT, the changes were not statistically significant. Moreover, both types of video games had a significant impact on accommodative responses, which could be clinically relevant for individuals with accommodation related issues.

Range of Motion Adaptations During a Simulated Game Exposure in Softball Pitchers.

Hip and shoulder range of motion (ROM) alterations are correlated with increased risk of injury in softball athletes. The purpose of this study was to investigate bilateral shoulder and hip ROM adaptation during a simulated softball double-header exposure. It was hypothesized that shoulder and hip ROM would decrease after simulated game exposure and would not return to baseline following a 30-minute break. Thirty (14.8±1.9 yrs, 162.5±18.3 cm, 71.79±16.03 kg) adolescent softball pitchers participated. Testing included: bilateral hip and shoulder ROM (preSG), simulated game exposure (100 pitches), bilateral hip and shoulder ROM (postSG), 30-minute break, bilateral hip and shoulder ROM (preDH), pitching first inning of a simulated double header (12 pitches), and bilateral hip and shoulder ROM (postDH). Two separate repeated measures multivariate analyses of variance tests determined differences in ROM between time points. Dominant shoulder internal rotation ROM and non-dominant shoulder internal and external rotation ROM significantly decreased from preDG. Stride hip external rotation ROM and drive hip internal and external rotation ROM significantly decreased from preSG to preDH. Key results revealed the break given between games may not be sufficient recovery time for hip ROM. Thus, assessing ROM as workload progresses can be a useful strategy for monitoring a softball pitcher's injury risk.

Use of screens and intake of unhealthy food among children and adolescents: association with physical activity in a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe intake of unhealthy food taken on very regular basis may bring even further negative impact on health if associated with excessive time using of screen-based electronic devices.ObjectiveTo estimate the association between the use of different types of screen-based devices and the intake of unhealthy foods amongst children and adolescents and to determine whether daily physical activity (DPA) has a moderating effect on the association.MethodsCross-sectional study carried out with a probabilistic sample of students from second to fifth grade of public elementary schools in Feira de Santana, Bahia (n = 2,477; girls: 53.2%; age: 9.1 ± 1.38 years; BMI z-score 0.37 ± 4.19 Kg/m²). Food intake, screen use, and physical activity were assessed using an online questionnaire based on previous day recall (Web-CAAFE). Prevalence Ratios (PR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI) were estimated via multiple zero-inflated negative binomial regression, with adjustments for sex, age, and weekly frequency of school meal intake. The moderating effect of DPA was verified by inserting interaction terms with each screen-based device individually and with the daily sum of screen-based device exposure (∑ Screens).ResultsThe majority of students (72.2%) reported using screens. The intake of unhealthy foods was positively associated with the use of cell phones (PR = 1.21; 95%CI = 1.13–1.30), computers (PR = 1.33; 95%CI = 1.22–1.46), and video games (PR = 1.36; 95%CI = 1.22–1.52). TV use was inversely associated with intake of unhealthy foods (PR = 0.92; 95%CI = 0.87–0.99). DPA moderated the effect of video game use on intake of unhealthy foods, that is, among students with DPA ≥ 4 who used video games, the intake of unhealthy foods was 21% lower (PR = 0.79; 95%CI = 0. 65-0.97). Overall, ∑ Screen-based devices were associated with a 20% increase in intake of unhealthy foods.ConclusionThe intake of unhealthy foods was positively associated with the use of cell phones, computers, and video games. In addition, a frequency of four or more DPA attenuated the effect of video game exposure on intake of unhealthy foods. Upcoming investigations on the use of screen-based devices and the intake of unhealthy foods among schoolchildren should consider the exposure to different types of screen-based devices, as well as the influence of DPA.

Violent video game exposure and bullying perpetration among Chinese adolescents: The moderating role of belief in a just world.

Exposure to violent video games is associated with aggressive behaviors among adolescents. However, not all adolescents who play violent video games demonstrate bullying behaviors. Based on the General Aggression Model (GAM), this cross-sectional study examined the interactive effect of individuals (i.e., belief in a just world [BJW]) and situational factors (i.e., violent video game exposure [VVGE]) on bullying perpetration. Using a representative sample of 4250 adolescents from five secondary schools in Southwest China (54.4% males, Mage = 15.14, SD = 1.5 years old), we examined the moderating role of BJW in the relationship between VVGE and bullying perpetration. The results suggest that VVGE is significantly and positively associated with bullying perpetration. Moreover, after controlling for covariates, general and personal BJW interact with the situational variable (i.e., VVGE) to predict bullying perpetration among Chinese adolescents. The positive effect of VVGE on bullying perpetration is lower among adolescents with high general and personal BJW than among adolescents with low BJW. The findings support the GAM theory and highlight the buffering role of BJW in the effect of VVGE on bullying perpetration.

Affective empathy mediates the positive effect of prosocial video games on young children’s sharing behavior

This study investigated the effect of prosocial video game exposure on sharing behavior in Chinese preschoolers and tested the mediating role of empathy as well as the moderating roles of age and gender. A total of N = 120 children aged 4–6 years (50% girls, 50% boys; Mage = 5.0, SD = 0.82) from two Chinese kindergartens participated in this between-subjects design experiment. The results showed that the preschoolers who played prosocial video games exhibited more sharing behavior than those who played neutral video games. Empathy, especially affective empathy, was found to mediate the association between playing prosocial video games and sharing behavior. This suggests that empathy training programs, especially those that promote affective empathy, may be an effective means of promoting sharing behavior in children. The mediating effect was mainly observed for girls and older children. Girls and older children may therefore be the target group for sharing behavior education programs that aim to increase empathy in playing prosocial video games. Nevertheless, promoting sharing behavior in younger children and boys is equally important and deserves attention in future research.

Short-Term Effects of Competitive Video Games on Aggression: An Event-Related Potential Study

Previous research on factors affecting video game player aggression has mainly reflected on the violent content of video games; in recent years, some researchers have focused on competitive factors in video games. However, little research has examined the sole impacts of competitive factors in video games without violent content on aggression, and the neurological processes of these effects are still unknown. The present study was the first to examine the electrophysiological characteristics of short-term competitive video game exposure and aggression. Thirty-five participants played a video game in either competitive or solo mode for 15 min, followed by an ERP experiment based on the oddball paradigm and the hot sauce paradigm to measure aggressive behavior. Results showed that playing competitive game mode was associated with faster judgment of aggressive words, larger P300 amplitudes, and selection of more chili powder than in solo mode. Mediation analysis further revealed that the P300 amplitude evoked by the aggressive words partially mediated the relationship between competitive game exposure and aggressive behavior. These findings support the general aggression model. However, this study has limitations, such as a single form of competitive game examined and single blindness, which need further improvement in future studies.

Violent Video Game Exposure and Cyberbullying in Early Adolescents: A Latent Moderated Mediation Model.

Violent video game exposure (VVGE) is a significant predictor of adolescent cyberbullying perpetration. However, little is known about the mediating and moderated mechanisms between them. This study examined the mediating role of moral disengagement between VVGE and cyberbullying perpetration as well as the moderating role of callous-unemotional (CU) traits on those associations. A total of 2,523 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 13.22, SD = 1.60, 48.4 percent girls) participated this study. Structural equation modeling showed that VVGE was significantly related to cyberbullying perpetration and moral disengagement play a mediating role between them. Latent moderated structural equation modeling showed that CU traits strengthened the effect of VVGE on moral disengagement and of VVGE on cyberbullying perpetration. Results further showed that the mediating effect of moral disengagement was more prominent for youths who have higher levels of CU traits. Interventions to reduce moral disengagement and CU traits among adolescents may interrupt the effect of VVGE to cyberbullying perpetration.

The roles of moral sensitivity and father presence on the relationship between violent video game exposure and aggression among left‐behind adolescents

AbstractThis cross‐sectional study explored the relationship between violent video game exposure (VVGE) and aggression in left‐behind adolescents (LBAs) in China, taking into account the effects of moral sensitivity and father presence. A cluster sampling design was applied in this study; we recruited 615 adolescents (45.85% male, age range 12–18 years, Mage = 14.70 years, SD = 1.66) from China. The results by using SPSS 25.0 and the PROCESS macro showed that VVGE was positively associated with LBAs' trait aggression and its items, and moral sensitivity played a partial mediating role in these relationships. Moreover, father presence moderated VVGE and LBAs' trait aggression, verbal aggression and hostility. Specifically, at a high level of father presence, the direct effect of VVGE on trait aggression was significantly moderated by increasing the level of father presence, whereas this moderating effect was not significant at a low level of father presence. The results were similar for verbal aggression and hostility. Thus, moral sensitivity and father presence should be considered in prevention and intervention strategies aimed at reducing LBAs' aggression.

A comprehensive systematic review and content analysis of active video game intervention research

ObjectiveIntervention research using digital games to promote physical activity has proliferated. Yet few studies have attempted to systematically catalog features that characterize this research. To address this gap, we undertook a systematic review and content analysis of active video game interventions, examining only published longitudinal interventions that prominently featured active video game technology (≥50% of the intervention).MethodsOur protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42020204191). For inclusion, an active video game intervention had to require gross movement beyond finger movement, and target improvement, maintenance, or recovery of health. The intervention design had to include at least two conditions, within- or between-subjects, with ≥10 participants per condition to examine the chronic effects of active video game exposure.ResultsThe search resulted in 232 studies published in English between 1996 and 2020. The majority of active video game interventions (69.8%) targeted physical fitness (physiological functioning as a consequence of physical activity), followed by cognitive performance (11.3%), physical activity (5.5%), or a mixture of those outcomes (13.4%). Total enrollment across all studies was 14,849 participants ( MParticipants = 62, SD = 106; MAge = 50.2, SD = 25.2 years; 47.3% men). A strong majority of the samples (69.8%) were recruited from medical subpopulations, and only 30.2% were recruited from the general (healthy) population. A strong majority of active video games (72.0%) were developed by industry for the commercial market, and only 13.3% were funded by government or foundation grants.ConclusionsSuggested directions for improving future active video game development and intervention research include greater consideration of promising features (social connectedness, novelty, narrative, rhythmic movement to music) and new models for productive collaboration between industry and academia.

Association Between Different Attachment Styles and Trends of Engagement in Violent Video Games

Objective: To evaluate the association of different attachment styles with the exposure of Lebanese male adolescents to violent video games.Methods: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted between October and December 2019 among 388 Lebanese male adolescents (aged 13-17 years) from 5 Lebanese schools. Participants answered questions regarding the 4 attachment styles (secure, preoccupied, fearful, and dismissing) and violent video game engagement.Results: Dismissing attachment style (β = -1.389) was significantly associated with less violent video gaming. Higher fearful attachment style (β = 2.981) was significantly associated with more violent video gaming.Conclusions: Adolescents with more insecure attachment styles were found to be more engaged in violent video games. Further research is needed on stress and empathy in association with these attachment styles to investigate whether they have an impact on violent gaming exposure. Future studies should focus on the type of video games and whether they require interaction with others.

Sleep disturbance has the largest impact on children's behavior and emotions.

Children's behavior and emotions are affected by sleep disturbances, the parent-child relationship, media viewing time, and the social status of parents and caregivers. We conducted a questionnaire survey to identify the factors that have the greatest impact on children's behavior and emotions and how these factors relate to each other. A parental questionnaire survey was performed at a public elementary school. The questionnaire comprised questions on the family environment (e.g., family structure, media and game exposure, after-school lessons, and caregiver's work schedule) and physical information, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for parents' sleep condition. A path diagram was drawn to hypothesize the complex interrelationships among factors, and structural equation modeling was used to estimate the path coefficients. We identified several factors that significantly affected the SDQ score. The CSHQ total score had the largest impact, followed by after-school lessons, single-mother families, and children's sex. In addition, several indirect pathways that led to the CSHQ score (i.e., a pathway from time spent watching television to CSHQ score via children's bedtime and a pathway from single-mother family to CSHQ score via PSQI total score) significantly affected the SDQ score. Children's sleep habits that were influenced by several environmental factors had the greatest impact on children's behavior and emotions, which suggested that children's behavioral problems can be improved by interventions focused on sleep habits, such as sleep hygiene instructions.

Violent Video Game Exposure and Problem Behaviors among Children and Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Deviant Peer Affiliation for Gender and Grade Differences.

Based on problem behavior theory, a mediation model for gender and grade differences is explored in this study. The study examined gender and grade differences in the effects of violent video games and deviant peer affiliation on problem behaviors among children and adolescents. A total of 2118 children and adolescents from four primary and middle schools in China (M age = 13.08, SD = 2.17) were surveyed using an anonymous questionnaire on basic information, exposure to violent video games, deviant peer affiliation, and problem behaviors. The results showed that exposure to violent video games significantly positively predicted problem behaviors, and deviant peer affiliation played a mediating role. Significant gender and grade differences were found in the mediating effect. This finding helps understand the individual differences in the influencing factors of problem behaviors. Further, it has important implications for interventions to reduce problem behaviors among children and adolescents.