Behavior, Addictive/complications/diagnosis/epidemiology/physiopathology/psychology; Body Mass Index; Depression/epidemiology/etiology/physiopathology; Female; Finland/epidemiology; Games, Recreational/psychology; Health Status Disparities; Health Surveys; Humans; Male; Mental Health/statistics & numerical data; Motor Activity; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Psychopathology; Random Allocation; Self Report; Statistics as Topic; Video Games/adverse effects/psychology/statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; health; problematic game behavior; problematic gaming
Abstract :
[en] BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify problematic gaming behavior among Finnish adolescents and young adults, and evaluate its connection to a variety of psychological, social, and physical health symptoms. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample of 293 respondents aged from 13 to 24 years. Participants completed an online survey. Problematic gaming behavior was measured with the Game Addiction Scale (GAS). Self-reports covered health measures such as psychological health (psychopathological symptoms, satisfaction with life), social health (preferences for social interaction), and physical health (general health, Body Mass Index [BMI], body discomfort, physical activity). RESULTS: Problematic gaming behavior was found to relate to psychological and health problems, namely fatigue, sleep interference, depression and anxiety symptoms. Multiple linear regression indicated that the amount of weekly gaming, depression and a preference for online social interaction predicted increased problematic gaming symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This research emphasized that problematic gaming behavior had a strong negative correlation to a variety of subjective health outcomes.
Disciplines :
Treatment & clinical psychology
Author, co-author :
Mannikko, Niko
Billieux, Joël ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) > Integrative Research Unit: Social and Individual Development (INSIDE)
Kaariainen, Maria
External co-authors :
yes
Language :
English
Title :
Problematic digital gaming behavior and its relation to the psychological, social and physical health of Finnish adolescents and young adults.
