Problematic Gaming Behavior Research Articles

Association Between Adolescent Internet Gaming and Adult Problematic Web-Based Board Gaming.

Introduction: The results of studies comparing the characteristics of Internet gaming with those of Internet gambling have been controversial. We hypothesized that problematic web-based board gaming behaviors are associated with psychological and social interaction factors. We also hypothesized that non-problematic adolescent Internet gaming is a protective factor against problematic web-based board gaming and that problematic Internet gaming is a predictive factor for problematic web-based board gaming.Methods: We recruited 104 adults who reported engaging in web-based gaming. All participants were asked to complete the Problematic Web Board Gameplay Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale (K-AADHD), Family Environmental Scale (FES), Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS), and questionnaires on their web-based board gaming patterns and Internet gaming history.Results: Problematic web-based board gamers showed a lower history of adolescent Internet gaming but a greater rate of problematic Internet gaming compared with healthy web-based board gamers. Moreover, problematic web-based board gamers showed an increase in CES-D, STAI, K-AADHD, and SADS scores but decreased FES scores compared with healthy web-based board gamers. Joblessness; less experience as an Internet gamer; a history of problematic Internet gaming; higher CES-D, STAI, and K-AADHD scores; and lower FES scores were significant predictors of problematic web-based board gaming.Discussion: Psychological, social, and environmental factors can positively influence problematic Web-based board gaming. Healthy Internet gaming during adolescence may play a preventive role in adult problematic web-based board gaming. However, because adolescent problematic Internet gaming tends to lead to problematic web-based board gaming, measures should be taken to prevent it.

Gaming Behaviors among Polish Students with Visual Impairment.

The access of people with disabilities to digital solutions promotes their inclusion and participation in many aspects of life. Computer games based on hearing or haptic devices have been gaining popularity among persons with visual impairment (VI), and players tend to display improved spatial and abstract reasoning skills, as well as better social interaction and self-confidence, after playing these games. However, a recent survey suggested that excessive gaming could represent a public health concern as a harmful form of behavior in young people associated with risk factors of negative psychosomatic and physical complaints. Young persons with VI are regular users of various technologies, but little is still known about their media patterns. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of the variables associated with gaming for adolescents with VI. The participants were 490 students, aged 13–24 years, from special schools for students with VI. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The current survey indicated a tendency towards excessive gaming in a significant proportion of young persons with VI. Sociodemographic variables are important in predicting gaming prevalence or screen time, but further research focused on establishing possible mediators (such as parental attitudes towards media) are necessary for identifying problematic gaming behaviors among students with VI.

Gaming Duration and Preferences: Relationships with Psychiatric Health, Gaming Addiction Scores and Academic Success in High School Students

Problematic gaming behavior is an important problem that may lead to a recently introduced psychiatric condition named internet gaming disorder (IGD). Gaming addiction has been reported to have major influence on the lives of adolescents and young adults affected by it. Our aim was to determine relationships between gaming-related parameters, academic success, levels of depression, anxiety and stress, and gaming addiction scores. We performed a cross-sectional study comprised of 499 non-senior high school students from the Bakırköy district of Istanbul. Depression, anxiety and stress were measured with the DASS-21, gaming addiction was measured via the IGDS9-SF. A single questionnaire form was prepared to record demographics, game play behavior and preferences, DASS-21 scores and IGDS9-SF scores. Girls comprised 80.2% (n=400) of the participants in this study. Eighty-eight (17.6%) students reported that they did not play games. There was a statistically significant worsening in IGDS9 scores and all subscales of the DASS-21 with increased game playing time. Gaming addiction score was higher in those that reported being academically unsuccessful. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the factors that increased IGDS9 scores were: time spent gaming, and preference of action, simulation or social media games. Whereas, smartphone gaming was found to be independently associated with lower IGDS9 scores. The association of higher IGDS9 scores with gaming time and preference of action, simulation and social media games, and lower scores with smartphone gaming are interesting results and may have implications in the approach to and treatment of those with IGD.

The role of maladaptive cognitions in gaming disorder: Differences between online and offline gaming types

Gaming disorder involving online or offline games has been included in the latest International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Recent studies on psychological processes related to gaming disorder have identified a number of maladaptive cognitions that may play a role in developing and maintaining problematic gaming behaviors. However, there have been few studies that have examined whether these cognitions may occur differently offline versus online gaming. This study recruited 446 French-speaking adults including 229 online and 217 offline gamers (54.93 % male, Mage = 28.05), who completed a questionnaire providing information about demographic characteristics, gaming habits, cognitions related to video games, gaming disorder and psychological distress. Maladaptive cognitions correlated strongly with gaming disorder, weekly time spent on video games, depression and anxiety symptoms. Mann-Whitney U-tests revealed significant differences between online and offline gaming groups with more addicted gamers in the online group, and more maladaptive cognitions in online than offline gamers. However, regression models comparing offline and online players revealed fewer differences among predictor variables. Maladaptive cognitions predicted the two types of disorder equally, although virtual comfort appeared to be strongly predictive only of online gaming disorder. These findings are discussed in relation to addiction theory and their clinical implications.

T104. PSYCHOTIC-LIKE EXPERIENCES AND PROBLEMATIC GAMING BEHAVIOR IN ONLINE GAME FORUMS

BackgroundPsychotic-like experiences (PLE) are reported in the general population, characterizing a non-clinical psychosis phenotype. Although those who report PLE have a higher probability of transitioning to psychosis, PLE are usually a transitory state, and most individuals will not transition to psychosis. However, PLE samples may experience symptoms such as social withdrawal, social anxiety, or social anhedonia. These symptoms may lead individuals with PLE to choose online gaming as a preferred means of social interaction.ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the relation between PLE and problematic online gaming.MethodsAn online questionnaire was posted in online game forums, on online fan-pages with German-speaking domains and in social media groups. Data from adolescents and young adults (14 to 30 years old; 55.4% males) from Austria and Germany (N=280) was analyzed. Measures: PLE were assessed with the Early Recognition Inventory based on the Interview for the Retrospective Assessment of the Onset of Schizophrenia (ERIraos); problematic gaming behavior was assessed with the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) adapted for online gaming; social anxiety was assessed with the Mini-Social Phobia Inventory (Mini-SPIN); preference for online social interactions was assessed with the Preference for Online Social Interaction scale (POSI). Analyses: Problematic gaming behavior was divided into two groups based on the suggested cut-off point of ≥18 on the CIUS (i.e., ≥18 gaming disorder vs. ˂18 no gaming disorder). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed and adjusted for sex, age, gaming hours, POSI, and social anxiety.ResultsA total of 63 individuals reached the cutoff for a gaming disorder, while 217 did not reach the cutoff. The majority of subjects in the gaming disorder group were males, young adults (19–24 years old, M=23.1, SD=3.7), single, or had less than high school diploma. Individuals who experienced an increased amount of PLE had a higher probability of reaching the cut-off for a gaming disorder (AOR=1.35 [95% CI 1.19–1.53]). Males were three times as likely as females to have a gaming disorder.DiscussionResults implicate a close relation between the phenomena of PLE and continued problematic gaming behavior.

Assessing Behavioral Patterns for Online Gaming Addiction

The purpose of the study is to identify the risk factors that predict online gaming addiction based on psychological factors. A sample of 150 respondents, who play online games or played in the past, were the respondents. Structured questionnaire is used to understand gaming behavior and other psychological factors. The following factors were found to be a predictor of online gaming addiction: emotional dependence, social withdrawal, detachment from other activities, and long hours spent playing games. Confirmatory factors analysis was used to identify critical factors and discriminant analysis was used to classify respondents as active and non-active online gamer based on their level of addiction and time spent in playing. The result shows a significant gap in the perception of active and non-active gamers with respect to the above-mentioned factors. The study brings valuable insights to medical practitioners and researchers in the context of defining problematic gaming behaviour.

Real-world social support but not in-game social support is related to reduced depression and anxiety associated with problematic gaming

Playing video games can become problematic, interfering with gamers’ daily functioning. This problematic gaming is associated with negative mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety. Social support, provided in the real-world, can protect against mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. However, previous research on gaming has found that real-world social support for gamers often decreases, while within-game social support increases. Importantly, it is currently unknown whether in-game social support can replace real-world social support in protecting problematic gamers from symptoms of depression and anxiety. To address this, we conducted an online survey (n = 361), recruiting participants from both a general university population and an online campus gaming (E-sports) group. We collected measures of problematic gaming, depression, anxiety, and both real-world and in-game social support, and then conducted a path analysis. In line with previous research, problematic gaming was significantly associated with decreased real-world social support and increased in-game social support. However, only real-world social support was then associated with reduced depression and anxiety, while in-game social support was unrelated to both. Problematic gaming also retained a significant direct effect on depression and anxiety. Maintaining real-world social support should be encouraged in the face of problematic gaming behaviors.

Problematic gaming behavior and the personality traits of video gamers: A cross-sectional survey.

Current psychological models for the development of specific internet-use disorders consider predisposing core characteristics (e.g. biopsychological constitution, psychopathology, early childhood experiences, and personality traits) that are involved in the early behavioral addiction process. The cross-sectional study discussed in this paper examined several likely relevant psychological variables in a group of 820 video gamers (217 women, 597 men), who visited the world's largest trade fair for video games in 2018. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess the extent of pathological gaming, Big Five personality traits, self-efficacy, depression symptoms, and general life satisfaction. In comparison to individuals with unproblematic gaming behavior, gamers with problematic gaming behavior scored significantly higher for neuroticism, depression symptoms, and time spent playing; and lower for self-efficacy, extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness. No difference was found in terms of agreeableness. Gamers who preferred to play massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) or first-person shooter games (FPS) presented particularly high levels of time spent playing and increased problematic gaming behavior. When considering the entire group of 820 video gamers, high levels of depressive symptoms and neuroticism, extensive time spent playing, as well as low levels of conscientiousness were identified as significant predictor variables regarding problematic gaming. In total, 238 of the 820 video gamers (29.0%) demonstrated problematic gaming behaviors.

Attachment style, stressful events, and Internet gaming addiction in Korean university students

The framework of addiction as an attachment disorder has been used widely in recent years to explain various technological addictions. However, research that explores the association between attachment and Internet gamining disorder is still limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential mediating effects of stressful events on the relationship between attachment styles and Internet gaming addiction. Three hundred and thirty-seven Korean university students in provincial South Korea participated in the study. The hypothesized model was tested using structural equation modeling. Results indicated that the relationships between attachment styles (both attachment anxiety and avoidance) and Internet gaming addiction were fully mediated by stressful events. These results contribute to understanding the etiology of gaming addiction and may guide development and delivery of treatment for problematic gaming behaviors.

Differences in associations between problematic video-gaming, video-gaming duration, and weapon-related and physically violent behaviors in adolescents

Seemingly mixed findings have been reported on possible relationships between video-gaming and violent or aggressive behaviors. Given the prevalence of gaming in adolescents and potential harms associated with violent behaviors, relationships between problematic gaming, gaming engagement, and risk behaviors involving weapons and physical violence require further research. This study examined in a large sample of high-school students the relationships between problem-gaming severity, gaming duration, and violence-related measures including weapon-carrying, having been threatened by someone with a weapon, perceived insecurity, physical fights and serious fights leading to injuries. Potential moderation by sensation-seeking and impulsivity was also tested. Participants were 3,896 Connecticut high-school adolescents. Chi-square, logistic regression, and moderation models were conducted. Adolescents with at-risk/problem gaming, compared to low-risk and non-gaming adolescents, reported more weapon-carrying, having been threatened with weapons, feeling unsafe at school, and serious fighting leading to injury. Among those reporting gaming, weekly time spent gaming was associated with problem-gaming severity. Those with longer (versus shorter) gaming durations were more likely to report weapon-carrying and feeling unsafe at school. Sensation-seeking moderated associations between at-risk/problem gaming and weapon-carrying frequency. Associations between gaming quantity and problem-gaming severity and measures of weapon-carrying and physical violence in adolescents suggest that understanding further their mechanistic relationships may be important in promoting safer developmental trajectories for youth. Future longitudinal studies may provide important insight into the etiologies underlying these relationships and such information may help develop more effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Normative, passionate, or problematic? Identification of adolescent gamer subtypes over time.

Background and aimsFor most youngsters, gaming is a fun and innocent leisure activity. However, some adolescents are prone to develop problematic gaming behavior. It is therefore important to have a comprehensive understanding of psychosocial and game-related characteristics that differentiate highly engaged gamers from problematic gamers. To that end, this study evaluated the stability and consistency of Internet gaming criteria (as suggested by the DSM-5) and psychosocial characteristics in a two-wave longitudinal study including 1928 young adolescents (mean age = 13.3 years, SD = 0.91, 57% boys).MethodsA confirmatory factor analysis revealed good stability of the Internet gaming disorder (IGD) construct over time. Latent class analyses revealed three classes for boys (recreational, engaged, and problematic) and two classes for girls (recreational and engaged).ResultsSignificant differences between classes emerged for problem criteria (conflict and problems in social life), gaming duration, impulsivity, social competence, and attention/hyperactivity. The absence of a problematic gaming class for girls suggests that girls are less likely to develop problematic gaming behavior.DiscussionThe IGD criteria as proposed by the DSM-5 are a helpful tool to identify problematic gamers, although the results of this study suggest that using a strict cut-off point might result in false positives, particularly for boys. Problem criteria appeared to be the most sensitive and specific in identifying the problematic gamer, whereas escapism criteria were the least specific and sensitive. Careful consideration of the current proposed criteria to identify problematic gaming behavior could benefit the research and clinical field.

Diagnostic and Classification Considerations Regarding Gaming Disorder: Neurocognitive and Neurobiological Features.

Video gaming and Internet use have become a part of the everyday lives of many individuals, especially during adolescence. Given the health concerns related to problematic gaming behaviors, gaming disorder (GD) has been included in the version of the 11th edition of The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) ratified by the secretariat of the World Health Organization. Given these considerations and others (including debate regarding the most appropriate classification of GD and how best to prevent and treat the condition), there is a need for further research into GD. Specifically, we suggest that researching intermediate phenotypes focusing on cognitive and neurobiological function may help clarify GD’s relationships to other addictive disorders and more accurately define their relationships with core and associated features of GD. Overlaps in neural activity, cognitive functioning, and other features suggest that GD shares similarities with gambling and substance-use disorders and may best be classified as an addictive disorder. Individuals with GD differ from those with regular game use (RGU) on neurocognitive levels. However, concerns have been raised with respect to the differences between GD and substance-use disorders in certain dimensional features, such as tolerance. Additionally, it has been argued that differences between GD and RGU may not be fully captured by nomenclature systems like the ICD-11. Nonetheless, individuals seek treatment for help with GD, despite the limited data available for effective treatments. As more data are gathered from investigations of GD, they should be translated into refining criteria for GD and optimizing interventions.

Stress System Response and Decision Making in Heavy Episodic Users of Alcohol and Online Video Games

Objective: Few empirical studies have addressed stress system response and subsequent decision making in problematic online video game players who also consume alcohol. Method: Participants were randomly assigned to either receive a psychosocial stressor, including evaluated public speaking and mental arithmetic, or control condition. Salivary cortisol, cardiovascular and subjective responses were collected. Following, decision making was assessed using the Iowa Gambling Task. Results: In this sample of moderate internet gamers (N = 71; 45 male, 16.9% meeting suggested DSM-5 criteria for internet gaming disorder), 53.52% met gender-specific cut-points for heavy episodic drinking. Overall, participants in the TSST condition demonstrated elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, self-reported anxiety, and negative affect (ps < .05). However, response to the TSST was varied, particularly in individuals reporting binge internet gaming (6 h or more consecutive use in the last 30 d) who did not display the expected decline in positive affect in response to the TSST (p = .02). Differences in greater advantageous decision making between heavy episodic internet gaming participants in the stress condition, versus those reading a travel magazine, were also noted. These differences were not significant in participants reporting an absence of heavy episodic gaming behavior. Conclusions: These findings support the continued study of individuals who engage in problematic internet gaming behavior, particularly those who engage in heavy episodic use of alcohol.

Gaming Motivations as a Guide to Treating Problematic Gaming Behaviors

With the recent edition of Gaming Disorder to the ICD-11, it is imperative for clinicians to explore avenues to treat individuals who may seek treatment for videogame-related difficulties. An important factor in treating addictive behavior disorders is to select adaptive, appropriate replacement behaviors. Thus, this study explored typical non-gaming-related activities enjoyed by gamers as predicted by their gaming interests, with a goal of predicting targeted replacement behaviors based on gamer motivations. Online data were collected for 216 participants. Each participant completed a Gamer Motivation Profile and a General Interests Profile, and multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the degree to which gaming motivations also predicted interest in other, non-gaming-related activities. A number of significant, meaningful results emerged, both in positive and negative directions. For example, socially motivated gamers tended to also enjoy social activities outside of gaming, while showing decreased interest in creative activities. Similarly, immersion-oriented gamers tended to have higher interest in Intellectual activities, with decreased interest in Social activities and in Vacationing. Preliminary results revealed insights that can be used by clinicians in making targeted recommendations of replacement behaviors for problematic gamers, based on their specific Gamer Motivation Profiles.

Psychometric properties of the Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10) and problematic gaming behavior among Finnish vocational school students.

This study was conducted to investigate the psychometric properties of the Finnish version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10), identify the proportion displaying problematic gaming behavior (PGB) among Finnish vocational school students, and characterize the relationships between sociodemographic factors and gaming characteristics predicting PGB in this population. This cross-sectional study involving 773 students (mean age 17.5years). Socio-demographic and gaming behavior characteristics were established using a web-based survey. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that the IGDT-10 test has appropriate psychometric properties. The proportion of students exhibiting PGB based on the DSM-5 cut-off threshold was 1.3%. Regression analysis showed that male gender, preference for gaming on a personal computer, gaming time, poor self-perceived health status, and a preference for the solo and multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA) game genres related positively to PGB scores. These findings demonstrate the appropriateness of the IGDT-10 test for the assessment of problematic gaming among adults, and support further research on PGB in Finland.

Gaming disorder among medical college students from India: Exploring the pattern and correlates.

Background:In the extant literature, apart from few published case reports describing patients with severe form of gaming disorder (GD), there is a lack of studies describing the pattern and correlates of GD existing in the Indian settings. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the extent and pattern of gaming behavior in a sample of medical college students from India and explore its association with the sociodemographic, psychological (depressive symptoms), and Internet gaming characteristics.Materials and Methods:This Internet-based cross-sectional study was conducted as an online survey among 306 medical students by the Behavioral Addictions Clinic at a tertiary care teaching college in India. The severity of problematic gaming behavior and depressive symptoms was assessed using the Internet GD Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding sociodemographic and Internet gaming characteristics of the participants. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 21.0, with two-tailed P < 0.05 taken as significant and P < 0.01 as highly significant results.Results:We identified 173 (55.6%) current gamers, with 11 (3.6%) Internet GD gamers based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -5 criteria in the current study sample. A preference for multiplayer online gaming pattern (β =0.17, P = 0.005), spending greater amount of time in playing digital games (β = 0.53, P < 0.01), and higher PHQ-9 scores (β =0.25, P < 0.01**) representing greater depressive symptom severity were associated with statistically significantly greater scores on the IGDS9-SF, indicative of a higher risk for having GD.Conclusions:GD is a cause of concern among medical students in India. There is an urgent need to create awareness about it among students and concerned authorities. Further, there is a need to develop effective screening and treatment strategies suited for our population. The risk factors identified in the current study can be utilized to screen those at high risk of developing the same.

Underlying Factors of Problematic Online Gaming Behavior: Age, Intensity, and Genre

Underlying Factors of Problematic Online Gaming Behavior: Age, Intensity, and Genre

Addressing problematic video game use: A multimethod, dual-context perspective on leisure-time use.

A more integrative approach to the prevention of problematic gaming behavior is recommended in Király et al.’s review. We discuss the Dutch policy responses to problematic gaming behavior and suggest two alternatives to the dominant survey research approach to achieve this. Employing time-use/diary studies allows us to map out the full scope of leisure-time use and employing log-data analysis improves our understanding of gamer behavior within the virtual context. All of these approaches would benefit from accounting for the diversity of within-virtual context behavior. The approach is summarized as a multimethod, dual-context approach to understanding leisure-time behavior.

Psychometric Properties of the Problematic Gaming Questionnaire Used to Assess Finnish Adolescents

In recent years, problematic gaming behavior has been a phenomenon of growing interest and in need of further empirical research worldwide. Due to a lack of research into problematic gaming behavior in Finland, this study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire (POGQ). Data collection was carried out in two junior high schools by using an online survey administered during the school class. A convenience sample of 560 adolescents completed a Finnish version of the POGQ along with the questions relating to socio-demographic and gaming behavior variables. The final analytical sample consisted of 465 gamers (37.2% females). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) demonstrated appropriate psychometric properties for the scale. Inter-item association across subscales of POGQ analyzed by using Cronbach’s alpha appeared to be satisfactory. Moderate positive correlations were found between time spent on games and problematic gaming behavior. The proportion of adolescents exhibiting problematic gaming behavior was 0.9% of the participants. In conclusion, these results demonstrated the suitability of the POGQ, in its Finnish version, for the assessment of problematic gaming behavior among adolescents.

Problematic gaming behaviour and health-related outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the interplay between problematic gaming behaviour and health-related outcomes at different developmental stages. A total of 50 empirical studies met the specified inclusion criteria, and a meta-analysis using correlation coefficients was used for the studies that reported adverse health implications regarding the impact of problematic gaming behaviour on depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and somatisation. Overall, the results suggested that problematic gaming behaviour is significantly associated with a wide range of detrimental health-related outcomes. Finally, the limitations of this review alongside its implications were discussed and considered for future research.