Problematic Game Use Research Articles

How do different game genres impact adolescent players’ problematic game use?

This study investigates the influence of video game genres on adolescent behavior, focusing on tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and impaired control. With the increasing prevalence of gaming among adolescents, understanding the specific impacts of game genres becomes crucial. This research aims to identify how different genres affect adolescent gamers and to provide insights for educators, parents, and policymakers on managing gaming-related behaviors. Using ANOVA and Sidak post-hoc test to analyze responses from a sample size of 60,029 adolescents, the study found significant differences in tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and impaired control across various game genres. RPG and AOS games were associated with higher levels of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms compared to sports and casual games, suggesting a genre-specific influence on these behaviors. The findings underscore the need for targeted strategies in educational and parental guidance to address game genre-related issues among adolescents. The implications of this research are vital for developing effective interventions and supports that cater to the specific needs of adolescent gamers, aiming to foster healthier gaming habits and mitigate potential negative outcomes.

Family-Centered Treatment Program for Problematic Gaming and Excessive Screen Use in a Clinical Child and Youth Population (FAME): Protocol for a Feasibility Pilot Mixed Method Study.

Screen time among children and adolescents has increased dramatically, raising concerns about its impact on development and mental health. While research highlights both potential benefits and risks, excessive use has been linked to issues like anxiety, depression, and gaming addiction. Despite growing concern, effective interventions are scarce. Recognizing the importance of family dynamics in child development, we propose a family-centered program to address problematic gaming and excessive screen use in a clinical population. By involving both children and parents, we aim to create a more comprehensive approach to prevention and treatment. This study aims to determine the possibility of distributing and evaluating a family-centered group program for problematic gaming and excessive screen use (FAME) in a clinical child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) population. We will monitor the recruitment rate; track the retention and attendance rates of both parents and children; and assess whether each session's objectives are met, the content is delivered within the allotted time, and the necessary resources (eg, facilitators and materials) are available. Additionally, we will gather qualitative and quantitative feedback from participants through postprogram surveys and individual interviews with both children and parents. A total of 10 families with ongoing contact with CAP in Skåne, Sweden, will be recruited and offered participation in a family-centered group program targeting children aged 10-18 years with reported difficulties regarding screen gaming or screen use. The intervention to be tested is a newly developed, family-centered, psychoeducational, cognitive behavioral therapy-based intervention addressing both positive and negative aspects of screen use; setting boundaries; the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; conflict triggers; and sleep hygiene. The primary goal of the pilot study is to test the feasibility of the program, as well as recruitment and the analysis of participants' experiences with the program. A total of 11 children and their parents were enrolled during first quarter of 2024. A 4-session pilot was delivered in first quarter of 2024, and the first results are expected in the third quarter of 2024. The overarching goal of this pilot study is to determine the possibility of distributing and evaluating a family-centered group program for problematic gaming and excessive screen use (FAME) in a clinical CAP population. The insights gained from this study will guide our future research, which will focus on conducting a larger-scale evaluation of the intervention's impact on family screen time conflicts and inform future strategies for the implementation of family-centered interventions in child and youth clinics. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06098807; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06098807. DERR1-10.2196/56387.

Investigating Parental Factors for Adolescent Problematic Gaming and Social Media Use – A Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Approach

PurposeIncreasing concern has been raised on the addictive potential of digital games and socialmedia platforms, especially in adolescent users. Hence, investigating the etiology of problematic gaming (PG) and problematic social-media use (PSMU) is of great scientific and clinical interest. Parental factors have not been sufficiently addressed yet. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the predictive values of parental demographic, psychological, parenting, and role model factors for adolescent PG/PSMU. MethodsIn a representative parent-child (10–17 years) sample parental factors and adolescent PG/PSMU were assessed cross-sectionally (Ndyads = 1221) and longitudinally (Ndyads = 659) using online-questionnaires at two measurement points 14 months apart. Parental factors included parental media-use patterns, sociodemographic aspects, (digital) emotion regulation, stress perception, (digital) parental self-efficacy, and media rules. Best subset linear regression models were estimated to identify parental factors with greatest predictive values. These were included in prospective linear regression analyses. ResultsAt the cross-sectional level, 18% of model variance predicting PG and 24% predicting PSMU could be explained by parental media-use patterns, media rules, and (digital) parental self-efficacy after controlling for adolescent age. Longitudinally, 33% of variance in the PG model and 34% of variance of the PSMU model could be explained by parental media-use patterns and parental self-efficacy after controlling for adolescent age and baseline PG/PSMU. DiscussionThis study is the first to differentially investigate parental factors in the context of adolescent PG/PSMU in a prospective representative parent-child study. Aspects of digital parental role modeling and parenting could be identified as promising anchors for prevention and treatment.

The associations between autistic characteristics and microtransaction spending

Microtransactions provide optional, virtual, video game goods that, for an additional cost to the player, provide additional game content and alter the gameplay experience. Loot boxes—a specific form of microtransaction—offer randomised rewards in exchange for payment, and are argued to be structurally and psychologically similar to gambling. Nascent research suggests that a link exists between autism and both problematic gaming and problematic gambling. Here, we investigated the relationships between autistic characteristics and experiences, and excessive video gaming and microtransaction expenditure. A sample of 1178 adults from Australia, Aotearoa, and The United States were recruited from Prolific Academic, and completed a survey measuring in-game expenditure, autistic characteristics and experiences, problematic gaming, problematic gambling, and risky loot box use. Analyses showed positive associations between autistic characteristics and experiences with problematic gaming and problem gambling symptomatology. However, results also showed a small, negative association between autistic characteristics and experiences and spending on loot boxes when problem gambling symptoms, problematic gaming, and risky loot box use were statistically controlled for. These results suggest that autistic gamers may be vulnerable to problematic gaming and gambling, but that this effect does not extend to the purchasing of microtransactions.

Substanzkonsum und Nutzung von sozialen Medien, Computerspielen und Glücksspielen unter Auszubildenden an beruflichen Schulen

ZusammenfassungHintergrundDas Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war die Erfassung der Verbreitung des (problematischen) Konsums von Alkohol, Tabak und Cannabis sowie der (problematischen) Nutzung sozialer Medien, von E‑Produkten, Computerspielen und Glücksspielen unter Auszubildenden.MethodeQuerschnittliche Befragung von 4591 Auszubildenden an 17 beruflichen Schulen in Bayern, Schleswig-Holstein und Hamburg. Die Datenerhebungen mittels Fragebogen erfolgten zwischen März 2021 und April 2022. Die primären Endpunkte waren die 30-Tages-Prävalenz und das problematische Konsum- und Nutzungsverhalten der genannten Substanzen/Verhaltensweisen auf Basis von Screening-Instrumenten.ErgebnisseSoziale Medien wurden mit einer 30-Tages-Prävalenz von 97,7 % am häufigsten von den Auszubildenden genutzt, gefolgt von Alkohol (64,3 %) und Computerspielen (55,8 %). Zigaretten wurden von 35,1 %, E‑Produkte von 17,9 % und Cannabis von 15,4 % konsumiert. Glücksspiele betrieben 12,2 % der Auszubildenden. Ein problematischer Konsum lag für Alkohol bei 47,4 %, für Tabak bei 18,0 %, für E‑Produkte bei 6,2 % und für Cannabis bei 1,6 % der Auszubildenden vor. Eine problematische Nutzung sozialer Medien wiesen 45,0 % der Auszubildenden auf, bei Glücksspiel waren 2,2 % und bei Computerspielen 0,7 % betroffen.DiskussionDie Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass es sich bei Auszubildenden um eine Risikogruppe für Suchtprobleme handelt, die erhöhten Interventionsbedarf aufweist. Vor allem Angebote der Sekundärprävention in den Bereichen Alkohol und soziale Medien sollten aufgrund ihrer weiten Verbreitung im Setting Berufsschule beachtet werden.

Problematic smartphone use among russian and foreign medical students: prevalence, content consumed, associations with other forms online behavior

Aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of problematic smartphone use, the characteristics of the content consumed and associations with other forms of online behavior among Russian and foreign medical students. Material and methods. 296 medical students were examined using the online survey method: 219 Russians (main group) and 77 foreigners (comparison group); 107 (36.2 %) boys and 189 (63.8 %) girls; age 20 [18; 21] years (median [lower quartile; upper quartile]). The structure of online behavior was assessed: adaptive, non-adaptive, and pathological (PIU) Internet use; specific forms of PIU: problematic use of computer games and social networks, mixed and undifferentiated form of PIU. The values of the total score of the scales of the applied psychometric questionnaires were determined. The indicators were compared in the general group of subjects, in groups of Russians and foreigners, including gender. Results. Problematic smartphone use is typical for 14.2 % of all surveyed. The share of smartphone addicts is higher among foreigners than among Russians (27.3 and 8.0 %, respectively), both boys and girls. PIU prevailed among foreigners (16.1 and 7.4 %), they are more often dependent on social networks (34.5 and 2.4 %). Foreign women were distinguished by a high incidence of problematic use of computer games (20.0 and 3.6 %) and social networks (25.0 and 3.1 %), as well as a mixed form of PIU (20.0 and 2.5 %). The content consumed by Russians (boys + girls) was dominated by being on social networks (77.6 Russians and 46.7 % foreigners) and listening to music (50.7 and 31.2 %, respectively). Gender differences in content included more frequent use of social networks by Russian students, both boys (81.1 and 48.1 %) and girls (76.5 and 43.5 %); more frequent listening to music by Russian males in comparison with foreign males (66.0 and 29.6 %) and Russian females (66.0 and 45.8 %). Foreign boys use smartphones for games more often than foreign girls, the preoccupation with smartphone games is higher among Russian women as well. Conclusions. The prevalence of problematic smartphone use, the characteristics of the content consumed and associations with other forms of PIU among Russian and foreign students were established. In our opinion, it is necessary to carry out further research aimed at solving an urgent medical and social problem of timely diagnosis of smartphonedependent behavior and prevention of somatic and neuropsychic health disorders associated with it in young people. The current range of indicators to be studied in people with problematic smartphone use should include an analysis of comorbid psychosomatic disorders (recurrent pain: headaches, abdominal pain, back pain) and features of psychosocial characteristics, taking into account age, sex and ethnic differences of electronic gadget users.

The Effect of Time Spent on Online Gaming on Problematic Game Use in Male: Moderating Effects of Loneliness, Living Alone, and Household Size.

This study aimed to investigate the association between gaming time and problematic game use (PGU) within a large sample of Korean male gamers and to examine the potential moderating effects of loneliness, living alone, and household size. This study employed data from 743 male gamers from the National Mental Health Survey 2021, a nationally representative survey of mental illness conducted in South Korea. Self-reported data on the average gaming time per day, severity of PGU, loneliness, living alone, and household size were used. Gaming time was positively associated with PGU and this relationship was significantly moderated by loneliness such that the positive effect of gaming time on PGU was greater when the levels of loneliness were high. The three-way interaction effect of gaming time, loneliness, and living alone was also significant, in that the moderating effect of loneliness on the relationship between gaming time and PGU was significant only in the living alone group. However, household size (i.e., number of housemates) did not moderate the interaction between gaming time and loneliness among gamers living with housemates. These results suggest the importance of considering loneliness and living arrangements of male gamers, in addition to gaming time, in identifying and intervening with individuals at heightened risk of PGU.

Effects of Problematic Game Use on Adolescent Life Satisfaction through Social Support and Materialism

Effects of Problematic Game Use on Adolescent Life Satisfaction through Social Support and Materialism

The roles of stress, non-digital hobbies, and gaming time in adolescent problematic game use: A focus on sex differences

This study examined the relationships among stress, gaming time, and problematic game use (PGU) in adolescents, evaluating whether non-digital hobbies (NDHs) may moderate these relationships. A total of 1447 Korean adolescents, aged 11–15 years (57.8% women), provided data on their stress levels, NDHs, average daily gaming time, and PGU. Results indicated that gaming time partially mediated the relationship between stress and PGU. Furthermore, the number of NDHs and the proportion of active NDHs did not moderate these relationships universally, but showed sex-differentiated patterns. When we analyzed active and passive NDHs as separate variables, we found that the positive relationship between stress and PGU was moderated by the active type (e.g., exercise) in men and the passive type (e.g., art) in women. That is, the more NDHs of each type, the greater the buffering effect on the direct effect of stress. The moderating effect on the relationship between stress and gaming time was not significant for either sex, regardless of the type of NDHs. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of NDHs in mitigating stress-induced PGU may be closely related to sex-specific preferences. Our study also suggests the need for tailored intervention strategies, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach, and instead supports more individually-tailored interventions that incorporate adolescents’ characteristics (e.g., sex).

The Moderating Effect of Parental Monitoring on the Relationship between Flow Experience and Problematic Game Use of Upper Elementary School Students: Focusing on Control Impairment and Excessive Playing

The Moderating Effect of Parental Monitoring on the Relationship between Flow Experience and Problematic Game Use of Upper Elementary School Students: Focusing on Control Impairment and Excessive Playing

“Belonging without being”: Relationships between problematic gaming, internet use, and social group attachment in adolescence

Gaming and Internet use are positively associated with benefits for interpersonal relationships in adolescence, with these behaviors when excessive having been negatively linked with positive aspects of interpersonal connections, such as secure attachment. Using a representative sample of 7918 Portuguese adolescents, with ages ranging from 13 to 19 (Mage = 15.5, 53.3% females), and three self-report measures of problematic gaming, problematic Internet use, and social group attachment (secure, anxious, avoidant), this cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations between problematic gaming, as well as problematic Internet use, and secure and insecure (anxious and avoidant) social group attachment styles, in the groups with and without these problems. In the groups without problematic gaming and without problematic Internet use, excessive gaming and involvement with the Internet were negatively associated with secure social group attachment and positively associated with anxious social group attachment; on the other hand, in the groups with severe levels of these problems, problematic gaming and Internet use were positively associated with secure social group attachment and negatively associated with anxious social group attachment. These results go against what had been initially hypothesized and suggest that in the case of adolescents with severe levels of these problems, they may serve as an effective compensatory mechanism for coping with the negative effects of insecure attachment styles, which in turn likely contributes to the maintenance of problematic gaming and Internet use.

Res@t: Resource-Strengthening Training for Adolescents with Problematic Digital-Media Use and their Parents

Abstract: Aims: Given rising prevalence of digital-media related disorders (DMRD, i. e. the problematic use of digital games, social media, and streaming platforms) in children and adolescents, the new therapy program Res@t (Resource strengthening program for adolescents with DMRD and their parents) aims to close a significant evidence-based treatment gap. It addresses affected adolescents and their parents in different settings. Methods: Res@t is a fully manualized CBT program based on current research results and clinical experiences. It was initially developed for adolescents with problematic gaming (Res@t-A) and their parents (Res@t-P) in a face-to-face group setting. A digital translation into a fully automated application (Res@t digital [Res@pp]) should allow support independently of available local therapy options or the use within blended therapy. Besides DMRD symptom reduction in adolescents through Res@t-A, Res@t-P shall increase parental self-efficacy. Pilot-study data of Res@t-P within a pre-post-follow-up design showed promising effects on a decrease of parental stress perception and an increase of family functioning, as well as on DMRD symptom reduction in affected adolescents. However, a missing control group and rather small sample size reduces interpretability. Res@t-A is currently being evaluated within a comparable design. Multi-center randomized controlled studies are planned to evaluate the effectiveness of all offline and digital program versions. Conclusion: Res@t is the first manualized treatment program focusing on adolescents with DMRD and their parents for different settings (group therapy, digital application). Effective treatments addressing both target groups are highly warranted.

Existential implications of internet gaming disorder (IGD).

Internet gaming disorder (IGD), a condition warranting further study in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5, has received considerable research attention in recent years (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Characterized by problematic and repetitive use of Internetbased games, research suggests a complex etiology and that frequent usage, in and of itself, is not necessarily always problematic. Common motivations for intense usage, such as feelings of isolation, distress, and boredom may, in part, reflect an individual’s best attempts to navigate contact with the ‘ultimate’ anxieties identified by Yalom (1980). This article reviews the research pertaining to IGD, conceptualizes the disorder from an existentialhumanistic therapy (E-H) perspective, and concludes with an explanation of how E-H can offer a unique treatment perspective from which to work with clients struggling with problematic online gaming concerns within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. © 2021 American Psychological Association

Eye problems and musculoskeletal pain in Pokémon Go players

Individuals benefit from Pokémon Go (PG) gaming because this mobile augmented reality geolocation video game provides an attractive opportunity to increase physical activity outdoors and socialize. However, based on gaming and electronic media studies, intense involvement with PG is likely related to adverse phenomena, such as arm pain or eye-related problems. We aimed to test how PG use (problematic vs. non-problematic gaming and gaming time) is related to physical symptoms (pain in three body regions and computer vision syndrome). To dissect game-specific effects, we controlled for general problematic smartphone use, phubbing, and electronic media usage. PG players (N = 455) completed an online survey. We found that PG players with problematic game use reported more pain and vision problems. Problematic PG use was a better predictor of physical symptoms than PG gaming time and variables related to electronic media use. Problematic PG use and problematic smartphone use were correlated but independent predictors of physical symptoms. We conclude that the type of participation rather than the time spent playing predicts poorer physical health among PG players.

Problematic Internet Use among Adolescents 18 Months after the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Studies in recent years and especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic have shown a significant increase in the problematic use of computer games and social media. Adolescents having difficulties in regulating their unpleasant emotions are especially prone to Problematic Internet Use (PIU), which is why emotion dysregulation has been considered a risk factor for PIU. The aim of the present study was to assess problematic internet use (PIU) in adolescents after the third wave (nearly 1.5 years after the onset in Europe) of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the German region of Siegen-Wittgenstein, all students 12 years and older from secondary-level schools, vocational schools and universities were offered a prioritized vaccination in August 2021 with an approved vaccine against COVID-19. In this context, the participants filled out the Short Compulsive Internet Use Scale (SCIUS) and two additional items to capture a possible change in digital media usage time and regulation of negative affect due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of PIU. The original sample consisted of 1477 participants, and after excluding invalid cases the final sample size amounted to 1268 adolescents aged 12-17 (x = 14.37 years, SD = 1.64). The average prevalence of PIU was 43.69%. Gender, age, digital media usage time and the intensity of negative emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic were all found to be significant predictors of PIU: female gender, increasing age, longer digital media usage time and higher intensity of negative emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with higher SCIUS total scores. This study found a very high prevalence of PIU among 12- to 17-year-olds for the period after the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased significantly compared to pre-pandemic prevalence rates. PIU is emerging as a serious problem among young people in the pandemic. Besides gender and age, pandemic-associated time of digital media use and emotion regulation have an impact on PIU, which provides starting points for preventive interventions.

A partial correlation network indicates links between wellbeing, loneliness, FOMO and problematic internet use in university students

ABSTRACT Research findings on inter-relationships between subtypes of Problematic Internet Use with wellbeing, loneliness and Fear of Missing Out are inconsistent. The present study used psychometric assessments on the subtypes, general problematic internet use, problematic smartphone use, problematic social media use, problematic gaming, and problematic pornography use, loneliness, wellbeing and FOMO from 834 university students (mean age 22 years, 45% male) to explore these relationships in a partial correlation network and using variance partitioning. A partial correlation network provides a coherent representation of the inter-relationships between the factors in a network topology. The impacts of the relationships are quantified by variance partitioning which quantifies the unique variance explained by individual predictor variables and that explained by their overlap with other variables. The analysis suggests that gender differences exist; increased student loneliness and reduced wellbeing are linked directly to general problematic internet use, particularly for the lonely or those with reduced wellbeing and more so for males. Fear of Missing Out is linked to social media and smartphone use. Inconsistent findings in previous research may be explained by confounding variables. Educational institutions should offer support to students to develop awareness of the potential negative consequences of problematic internet use for student health.

Exploring the intersectionality of family SES and gender with psychosocial, behavioural and environmental correlates of physical activity in Dutch adolescents: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundExamining the correlates of adolescent’s physical activity (PA) and how they may differ according to the intersection of gender and family socioeconomic status (SES) can support the development of tailored interventions to more effectively promote adolescents’ PA. This study explored how the associations between psychosocial, behavioural and environmental factors and adolescent’s PA differed according to gender and family SES.MethodsThis study used data from the Dutch Youth Health Survey 2015. Adolescents (n = 9068) aged 12–19 were included in the study. The associations between psychosocial, behavioural, and environmental factors and PA (days per week engaging in at least one hour of PA) were examined with multilevel linear regression analysis. Potential interactions between these correlates, gender and family SES were explored.ResultsOn average, adolescents engaged in at least one hour of PA for 4,2 days per week. Poor self-perceived health, low peer social support, and a weak connection with the environment were all associated with lower PA in adolescents. Daily smoking, cannabis use, risk of problematic gaming and social media use, as well as lack of daily consumption of fruit, vegetables, water and breakfast were associated with lower PA, whereas binge drinking was not. Interactions revealed that poor self-perceived health was associated with lower PA in adolescents from moderate- and high-SES families, but not in low-SES adolescents, whereas cannabis use was only associated with lower PA amongst low-SES adolescents. Low peer social support was associated with lower PA across all groups, but it was most strongly associated with lower PA amongst male adolescents from low-SES families than in other subgroups. Amongst low-SES males, low peer social support was associated with a 1.47 reduction in days engaging in sufficient PA, compared with a 0.69 reduction for high-SES males.ConclusionsThis study identified several psychosocial, behavioural and environmental factors that can be targeted to potentially increase adolescent’s PA. We also found that correlates of PA differed according to the intersection of gender and family SES. Our findings suggest that PA interventions should be tailored according to gender and SES to address the specific needs, barriers and facilitators of different subgroups.

Problematic Use of Video Games, Social Media, and Alcohol: Associations with Mother-Child Relationship

Introduction: According to current concepts of developmental tasks, both the use of digital media and the consumption of psychotropic substances are age-typical challenges for adolescents. The majority overcomes these developmental tasks, but a substantial proportion of youth develops problematic usage patterns (e.g., of video games) or problematic consumption behavior (e.g., of alcohol). Empirical findings show the importance of family aspects for these problematic behavior patterns. Currently, it is not clear which specific areas of parent-child relationship are associated in each case and whether there are differences between substance-related and substance-unrelated problematic behavioral patterns. Methods: We surveyed 480 adolescents (45.2% females, mean age = 16.84 years) with standardized instruments regarding the mother-child relationship as well as problematic gaming, problematic social media use, and problematic alcohol use. We conducted correlation and multiple linear regression analyses (separately for problematic gaming, problematic social media use, and problematic alcohol use) as well as a multivariate multiple regression analysis. Results: In the regression analyses, more conflicts with the mother were related to all three behavioral patterns. However, lower cohesion was only statistically significantly associated with problematic alcohol use, but not with problematic gaming and problematic social media use, whereas lower autonomy and more frequent punishment of the child were statistically significantly related to problematic gaming and problematic social media use, but not to problematic alcohol use. Discussion/Conclusion: The findings indicate partially different relational dynamics for substance-related and substance-unrelated problem behaviors (interestingly, for cohesion and autonomy, the 95% confidence intervals of the standardized regression coefficients were not overlapping). The results of the present study could be used in family-based prevention approaches or in treatments in the clinical setting.

Relating Compulsivity and Impulsivity With Severity of Behavioral Addictions: A Dynamic Interpretation of Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Findings

Background and AimImpulsivity and compulsivity are two key temperament traits involved in behavior regulation. The aim of this study was to test several existing theories in explaining the role of impulsivity and compulsivity in symptom severity in various behavioral addictions.MethodsData were collected from a (representative) general population sample (N = 2,710, mean age:39.8 years (SD:13.6), 51% woman), and from people who are at increased risk of having a behavioral addiction (N = 9,528 in total, mean age: 28.11 (SD:8.3), 34.3% woman), including people with problematic gaming and internet use, pathological gambling, exercise dependence, compulsive buying and work addiction. Symptom severity, reward driven impulsivity and relief driven compulsivity were assessed.ResultsFor non-problematic groups, impulsivity is present to about the same extent as compulsivity, whereas for problematic groups, compulsivity dominates over impulsivity in all groups (except for gambling). The strength of the correlation between impulsivity and compulsivity is higher in more severe forms of the disorders (from r = 0.18 to r = 0.59 in the representative population).DiscussionBased on these data, it appears that relief-driven behavior (negative reinforcement) dominates over reward-driven behavior (positive reinforcement) in more severe cases of a behavioral addiction.ConclusionThis is the first large-scale study to find empirical support for the neuroscientific theory on the dominance of compulsivity (“needing”) over impulsivity (“wanting”) in more severe cases of a behavioral addiction. Although longitudinal research is needed, a possible shift from impulsivity to compulsivity takes place, similar to substance use addictions, which maintains the circle of addiction.

Latent Profile of Internet and Internet Game Usage Among South Korean Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: Globally, more people are spending time on the Internet and gaming since the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Consequently, concerns about developing behavioral addiction of adolescents have been raised. Such risk could be greater for adolescents in South Korea where the majority of adolescents have access to the Internet and own a smartphone. In fact, statistics indicate that Korean youths are spending significantly more time on the Internet and gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies on the patterns of time spent on the Internet and Internet gaming show inconsistent results. The aim of this study is to investigate the latent profiles of the Internet and Internet game usage among adolescents in South Korea.Method: Data from a national survey on elementary and middle school students across South Korea were used. The sample consists of 3,149 respondents, and 2,984 responses were analyzed after removing missing responses. Latent profile analysis was performed to investigate the number of latent profiles for the Internet and Internet game usage time. To validate the profiles, differences in problematic gaming behavior, sex, and neuroticism were examined.Results: Seven profiles were found: Casual User, Moderate User, Smartphone User, Internet User, PC Internet Gamer, Heavy User, and Excessive User. Validation of the profiles indicated differences in problematic gaming behavior, sex, and neuroticism among selected profiles.Conclusion: This study presented different profiles of the Internet and Internet game usage among adolescents in South Korea. Profiles with higher game usage time scored higher in problematic game use compared to other profiles. Males were more likely to be in the profiles with high gaming time, and females were more likely to be in Internet and Smartphone User profiles. The results indicate that Internet and Internet gaming usage patterns could be classified by the type of device used and the content of the Internet.