Problematic Video Game Research Articles

Problematic Video Game Play in a College Sample and Its Relationship to Time Management Skills and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptomology

Although numerous benefits have been uncovered related to moderate video game play, research suggests that problematic video game playing behaviors can cause problems in the lives of some video game players. To further our understanding of this phenomenon, we investigated how problematic video game playing symptoms are related to an assortment of variables, including time management skills and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Additionally, we tested several simple mediation/moderation models to better explain previous theories that posit simple correlations between these variables. As expected, the results from the present study indicated that time management skills appeared to mediate the relationship between ADHD symptoms and problematic play endorsement (though only for men). Unexpectedly, we found that ADHD symptoms appeared to mediate the relation between time management skills and problematic play behaviors; however, this was only found for women in our sample. Finally, future implications are discussed.

160. Problematic Video Game Play from the Adolescent Perspective: Prevalence and Associations with Game Factors and Health Status in a Changing Interactive Environment

160. Problematic Video Game Play from the Adolescent Perspective: Prevalence and Associations with Game Factors and Health Status in a Changing Interactive Environment

Intérêt de l’utilisation du questionnaire des problèmes associés aux jeux vidéo de Tejeiro (Problem Videogame Playing : PVP). Étude exploratoire chez des enfants présentant un TDA/H

During recent decades, videogame playing has become one of the main leisure activities in children and adolescents. However, studies on video game addiction are still very few. In order to evaluate the difficulties induced by an excessive “consumption” of video games, the team of Dr. Tejeiro developed a self-rating questionnaire: the Problem Videogame Playing questionnaire (PVP, Tejeiro, 2002). We translated this questionnaire with the agreement of the author and carried out, then, a “back-translation”. Population The sample consisted of 50 children (29 children with an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] and 21 controls). All subjects were evaluated on their consumption of videogames (PVP scale) and on their levels of externalized symptomatology by the Conners Parent rating scale and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Results None the controls scored above four on the PVP scale whereas 10 hyperactive children among the 29 answered affirmatively to five or more questions ( P = 0.02). We focused on PVP scores, and we distinguished two sub-groups among the hyperactive population: children having a score equal to or higher than 5 ( n = 10, group 1) and those having a score lower than 5 (group 2). The subjects of group 1 presented a higher index of hyperactivity on the Conners Parents rating scale than group 2 ( P = 0.02); and obtained higher scores on the Child Behavior Checklist, on the delinquent subscale ( P = 0.03), the aggressive subscale ( P = 0.02) and on externalizing problems ( P = 0.01). Conclusion The hyperactive children present more problems associated with video games. Children with high PVP scores appear with a particular behavioral clinical profile. This tool appears useful, for the clinician, in the description of the behaviours of children and teenagers towards video games. Also, it is necessary to use this questionnaire, in its French version, on larger populations.

The Role of Structural Characteristics in Problematic Video Game Play: An Empirical Study

The research literature suggests that the structural characteristics of video games may play a considerable role in the initiation, development and maintenance of problematic video game playing. The present study investigated the role of structural characteristics in video game playing behaviour within a sample of 421 video game players aged between 14 and 57 years. Players were surveyed via an online questionnaire containing measures of video game playing behaviour, player interaction with structural characteristics of video games, and problematic involvement in video games. The results showed that the reward and punishment features, such as earning points, finding rare game items, and fast loading times, were rated among the most enjoyable and important aspects of video game playing. There was some evidence that certain structural characteristics were stronger predictors of problematic involvement in video games than factors such as gender, age, and time spent playing. This research supports the notion that some structural characteristics in video games may play a significant role in influencing problem playing behaviour. Implications for theory and future research are discussed.

Problem Video Game Use and Dimensions of Psychopathology

The objective of this study was to examine associations between problem video game use and psychopathology. The Video Game Use Questionnaire (VGUQ) and the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were administered in an international anonymous online survey. The VGUQ was used to identify problem video game users and SCL-90 assessed dimensions of psychopathology. In comparison with other video game players (n = 1789), those with problem video game use (n = 156) had significantly elevated scores on all SCL-90 subscales. When compared to the U.S. male nonpatients, a significantly greater proportion of male video game players exhibited higher levels of all psychopathology. These findings suggest that there is a non-specific relationship between various domains of psychopathology and video game use in general and problem video game use in particular.

Problematic Internet use: a distinct disorder, a manifestation of an underlying psychopathology, or a troublesome behaviour?

Problematic Internet use: a distinct disorder, a manifestation of an underlying psychopathology, or a troublesome behaviour?

Recognizing Problem Video Game Use

It has been increasingly recognized that some people develop problem video game use, defined here as excessive use of video games resulting in various negative psychosocial and/or physical consequences. The main objectives of the present study were to identify individuals with problem video game use and compare them with those without problem video game use on several variables. An international, anonymous online survey was conducted, using a questionnaire with provisional criteria for problem video game use, which the authors have developed. These criteria reflect the crucial features of problem video game use: preoccupation with and loss of control over playing video games and multiple adverse consequences of this activity. A total of 1945 survey participants completed the survey. Respondents who were identified as problem video game users (n = 156, 8.0%) differed significantly from others (n = 1789) on variables that provided independent, preliminary validation of the provisional criteria for problem video game use. They played longer than planned and with greater frequency, and more often played even though they did not want to and despite believing that they should not do it. Problem video game users were more likely to play certain online role-playing games, found it easier to meet people online, had fewer friends in real life, and more often reported excessive caffeine consumption. People with problem video game use can be identified by means of a questionnaire and on the basis of the present provisional criteria, which require further validation. These findings have implications for recognition of problem video game users among individuals, especially adolescents, who present to mental health services. Mental health professionals need to acknowledge the public health significance of the multiple negative consequences of problem video game use.

P02-223 - Dimensions of psychopathology among video game players

ObjectiveTo examine the associations between problem video game use and psychopathology.MethodsThe Video Game Use Questionnaire (VGUQ) and the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were administered in an international anonymous online survey, open to everyone over 14 years of age with a good understanding of English. The VGUQ was used to identify problem video game users on the basis of provisional criteria, whereas SCL-90 was used to assess various dimensions of psychopathology.ResultsIn comparison with other video game players (n=1789), those with problem video game use (n=156) had significantly elevated scores on all subscales of the SCL-90. Participants with and without problem video game use had higher scores on measures of obsessive-compulsive tendencies, interpersonal sensitivity (social anxiety), and depression than on other SCL-90 subscales. When compared to the U.S. male nonpatients, a significantly greater proportion of all male adult video game players and male adolescent problem video game players scored in the “pathological” range on all dimensions of the psychopathology. Relative to the U.S. male adolescent nonpatients, a significantly greater proportion of male adolescents without problem video game use scored in the “pathological” range on the measures of depression, interpersonal sensitivity, and paranoid ideation.ConclusionsPeople with and without problem video game use may have similar patterns of associated psychopathology, but those with problem video game use exhibit more psychopathology. It is unclear to what extent these associations may be specific. Relative to other dimensions of psychopathology, anger and hostility are not particularly prominent in video game players.

Preliminary Validation of a New Clinical Tool for Identifying Problem Video Game Playing

Research has estimated that between 6 to 13% of individuals who play video games do so excessively. However, the methods and definitions used to identify “problem” video game players often vary considerably. This research presents preliminary validation data for a new measure of problematic video game play called the Problem Video Game Playing Test (PVGT). Two studies were conducted: an online survey of 373 university student video game players, and a paper-and-pencil survey of 416 video game players from video game outlets and LAN businesses. This paper presents the internal consistency, score distribution, convergent validity and dimensionality of the PVGT. The PVGT demonstrates potential as a continuous measure of problem video game playing. Future research should investigate the use of the PVGT as a clinical instrument for screening individuals whose video game playing may be considered excessive or personally detrimental.

Video Game Structural Characteristics: A New Psychological Taxonomy

Excessive video game playing behaviour may be influenced by a variety of factors including the structural characteristics of video games. Structural characteristics refer to those features inherent within the video game itself that may facilitate initiation, development and maintenance of video game playing over time. Numerous structural characteristics that influence gambling frequency and expenditure have been identified in the gambling literature, and some researchers have drawn comparisons between the rewarding elements in video gaming and those in slot machine gambling. However, there have been few rigorous attempts to classify and organise the psycho-structural elements of video games in a similar way to gambling. In order to aid current psychological understanding of problem video game playing and guide further research questions in this area, a new taxonomy of video game features is proposed, which includes: (a) social features, (b) manipulation and control features, (c) narrative and identity features, (d) reward and punishment features, and (e) presentation features. Each category is supported with relevant theory and research, where available, and the implications of these features for excessive video game playing are discussed.

Effects of Video Games on Adolescents and Adults

The present study compared a sample of American adolescents with a Spanish sample on a measure of video game addiction, the Problem Video Game Playing (PVP) survey developed in Spain. In addition, the study examined excessive video game playing and reported distress in social life, occupational activities, and school among high school students, college students, and adults. Samples taken from a large Eastern university, two suburban high schools, and an Internet survey were surveyed with an instrument developed by the authors and the PVP. Results show support for the PVP and a similarity between the Spanish and American samples but not for relationships between the PVP and assessments of distress in areas of daily functioning.

Problem gambling in adolescence: Relationships with internet misuse, gaming abuse and emotional intelligence

Examined the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and several addiction-related behaviors (gambling, internet use, and video game playing) in two community-based samples of adolescents: 13–15 year olds ( N = 209) and 16–18 year olds ( N = 458). EI was measured using the youth version of the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i:YV; Bar-On & Parker, 2000), while the addiction-related behaviors were assessed using the Internet Addiction Questionnaire (IADQ; Young, 1998), the Problem Video Game Playing Scale (PVGS; Salguero & Moran, 2002), and the South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA; Winters, Stinchfield, & Fulkerson, 1993). EI was found to be a moderate to strong predictor of addiction-related behaviors in both groups (parameter estimates were −.76 for the younger adolescents and −.56 for the older adolescents).

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and video games: A comparative study of hyperactive and control children

Introduction This study describes and compares the behavior of hyperactive and control children playing video games. Subjects and methods The sample consisted of 29 ADHD children and 21 controls aged between 6 and 16 years playing video games. We used the Child Behavior Checklist and the Problem Videogame Playing scale (PVP scale). This instrument gives objective measures of problem use, which can be considered as an indication of addictive videogame playing. We designed a questionnaire for the parents, eliciting qualitative information about their child's videogame playing. There were no significant differences concerning frequency or duration of play between ADHD children and controls but differences were observed on the PVP scale. None of the controls scored above four whereas 10 hyperactive children answered affirmatively to five or more questions. These children presented a greater intensity of the disorder than the other ADHD children. Conclusion While no differences concerning video game use were found, ADHD children exhibited more problems associated with videogame playing. It seems that a subgroup of ADHD children could be vulnerable to developing dependence upon video games.

Measuring problem video game playing in adolescents

Στόχοι: Ορισμένοι ερευνητές υποστηρίζουν πως για κάποιους ανθρώπους η ενασχόληση με τα ηλεκτρονικά παιχνίδια αποτελεί εξαρτητική συμπεριφορά που παρουσιάζει ομοιότητες με την τοξικοεξάρτηση. Στόχος μας ήταν να σχεδιάσουμε και να κατοχυρώσουμε μια κλίμακα μέτρησης των προβλημάτων που σχετίζονται με την εμφανώς εξαρτητική χρήση με όλα τα είδη ηλεκτρονικών παιχνιδιών, και με όλα τα διαφορετικά συστήματα ηλεκτρονικών παιχνιδιών, καθώς, επί του παρόντος, δεν υπάρχει εργαλείο που να μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί γι’ αυτό το σκοπό. Σχεδιασμός: Αναθεωρήσαμε τα κριτήρια του DSM-IV (APA, 1994) για την τοξικοεξάρτηση και τον παθολογικό «τζόγο», και συμβουλευτήκαμε τη βιβλιογραφία για τις εξαρτήσεις στοχεύοντας στη δημιουργία μιας σύντομης κλίμακας Προβληματικής Ενασχόλησης με τα Ηλεκτρονικά Παιχνίδια, (PVP·Problem Video Game Playing), η οποία θα μπορούσε να εφαρμοστεί εύκολα και γρήγορα. Συμμετέχοντες: Η κλίμακα εφαρμόστηκε σε 223 εφήβους ηλικίας 13-18 ετών στην Ισπανία,. Ευρήματα: Η ψυχομετρική ανάλυση έδειξε πως η Προβληματική Ενασχόληση με τα Ηλεκτρονικά Παιχνίδια, (PVP) δείχνει να είναι μονοδιάστατη και έχει αποδεκτή εσωτερική συνοχή (Cronbach’s alpha) στο .69. Η μορφή των σχέσεων μεταξύ στις τιμές της κλίμακας και στους εναλλακτικούς τρόπους μέτρησης της προβληματικής ενασχόλησης με τα ηλεκτρονικά παιχνίδια υποστηρίζει την αξιοπιστία του θεωρητικού μοντέλου (οι υψηλότερες τιμές στην κλίμακα σχετίζονταν με μεγαλύτερη συχνότητα ενασχόλησης με τα παιχνίδια, με τη μέση και τη μεγαλύτερη διάρκεια ενασχόλησης κάθε φορά, με την αντίληψη του εφήβου και των γονιών του σχετικά με την υπερβολική ενασχόληση και με τη βαθμολογία στην κλίμακα Σοβαρότητας της Εξάρτησης). Συμπεράσματα: Τα αποτελέσματά μας επιβεβαιώνουν πως η υπερβολική χρήση των ηλεκτρονικών παιχνιδιών σχετίζεται με έναν αριθμό προβλημάτων που παρουσιάζουν ομοιότητες με το σύνδρομο εξάρτησης και η κλίμακα Προβληματικής Ενασχόλησης με τα Ηλεκτρονικά Παιχνίδια δείχνει να είναι ένα χρήσιμο εργαλείο για τη μέτρηση τέτοιων προβλημάτων. Λέξεις κλειδιά: ηλεκτρονικά παιχνίδια, εξάρτηση, εθισμός, εφηβεία, στάθμιση κλίμακας

Measuring problem video game playing in adolescents.

Some researchers suggest that for some people, video game playing is an addictive behaviour similar to substance dependence. Our aim was to design and validate a scale to measure the problems associated with the apparently addictive use of all types of video games and video game systems, because there is no instrument at the present time that can be used for this purpose. We reviewed the DSM-IV criteria for substance dependence and for pathological gambling, as well as the literature on the addictions in order to design a short scale (PVP; problem video game playing) that is quick and easy to apply. The scale was administered to 223 Spanish adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years. The study was carried out in Granada and Algeciras, Spain. Psychometric analyses show that the PVP seems to be unidimensional and has acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) at 0.69. The pattern of associations between the scale scores and alternative measures of problem play supports its construct validity (higher total scores in the scale were associated with higher frequency of play, mean and longest times per session, self and parents' perception of playing to excess, and scores in the Severity of Dependence Scale). Our results confirm that the excessive use of video games is associated with a number of problems which resemble a dependence syndrome, and the PVP appears as a useful instrument for the measurement of such problems.