Examining the Predictors of Video Game Addiction According to Expertise Levels of the Players: The Role of Time Spent on Video Gaming, Engagement, Positive Gaming Perception, Social Support and Relational Health Indices

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the predictive relationship between video gaming addiction (VGA) and the level of video gaming competency among video gamers. Additionally, the role of time spent playing video games, video game engagement (VGE), video game positive perception (VGPP), social support and quality of relationships with peers were examined. We recruited 227 participants using the purposive sampling method. Of the participants, 50.20% self-identified as Novice-Amateur video gamers while 49.80% indicated being a regular-expert level players. We collected data from participants utilizing a personal and video games information form and five scales and (video game positive perception, videogame addiction scale, video engagement scale, multidimensional scale of perceived social support and relational health indices). These scales are valid and reliable instruments suitable for research purposes. The primary data analysis method was the Partial least squares- structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Our results demonstrated that the relationship between VGA and VGE differs based on the participants’ video gaming competency level. Another important result is that VGPP has a significant positive relationship with VGA (p < 0.001), VGE (p < 0.001) and video game playing and watching activities (p < 0.001). Furthermore, an increase in the time spent on watching Twitch content is associated with an increased VGA level (p < 0.05). Finally, the time spent on playing video games has different patterns with perceptions of social support according to the level of expertise of the players. This study indicates that VGPP plays a crucial role in predicting VGA and VE and highlights the importance of considering the level of players when examining the relationship between VGA and VE. The conclusions also exhibit that the increasing popularity of esports and video game content tracking may significantly impact VGA. The role of social support in video gaming behaviors varies based on the player’s level of expertise.

It’s not just about how long you play. Indirect gaming involvement and genre preferences in predicting gaming disorder risk: evidence from preregistered studies

“…In Study 1, the inclusion of IGI alongside DGI significantly improved the explanatory power of the model, accounting for more variance in GD risk. However, Study 2 did not replicate this finding, suggesting that the influence of IGI on GD risk may vary across different populations or contexts [see the partially conflicting results quoted above ( 14 , 16 , 17 )]. It is worth noting that in Study 1 the sample was very diverse in age (13–70), and the procedure did not allow for the behavior of the respondents to be controlled when filling out the questionnaire.…”

“…Our findings are in line with previous research focused on individual components of IGI: Cabreza-Ramirez et al ( 14 ) showed that a feeling of belonging to the Twitch community (a service mainly focused on video game streaming) plays an important role in the model of pathological game use; Ortiz de Gortari et al showed that intrusive thoughts regarding gaming are correlated with GD ( 16 ). Interestingly, Yildiz Durak et al ( 17 ) showed that time spent watching gaming videos on Twitch is correlated with GD, whereas time spent watching gaming streams on unspecified platforms or gaming itself is not linked to GD. Thus, our research fits into a relatively new direction of research that verifies the role of individual behaviors indirectly related to gaming in the context of GD risk.…”

“…Therefore, limiting contemporary research to only asking participants about “the number of hours spent playing video games per week” ( 7 , p. 6) or “weekly time spent gaming” ( 9 , p. 2) may lead to incomplete results. Studies on some of the aforementioned activities have recently been published by Cabreza-Ramirez et al ( 14 , 15 ), Ortiz de Gortari and Panagiotidi ( 16 ), and Yildiz Durak et al ( 17 ); however, the results seem to be mixed.…”

“…Another study by Cabreza-Ramirez et al ( 15 ) yielded similar results: positive perceptions of gaming and certain motivations for using streaming services were associated with both pathological game use and time spent watching streams, even though no connection was found directly between time spent watching streams and problematic game use. Interestingly, Yildiz Durak et al ( 17 ) showed that while time spent watching Twitch was associated with GD, time spent viewing streaming in general was not.…”

Η Επίδραση Των Βίαιων Ηλεκτρονικών Παιχνιδιών Στα Επίπεδα Της Κατάθλιψης, Του Θυμού Και Της Επιθετικότητας Στην Ύστερη Εφηβεία

“…Πέραν των γνωστικών και συμπεριφορικών παρεμβάσεων που συνήθως χρησιμοποιούνται για την ενίσχυση των ικανοτήτων είναι σημαντικό να υιοθετηθούν και παρεμβάσεις οι οποίες θα λαμβάνουν υπόψιν τους το νευρολογικό υπόβαθρο των ατόμων που κρίνονται επιρρεπή στην εμφάνιση διαταραχών που σχετίζονται με την προβληματική χρήση του διαδικτύου και των βίαιων ηλεκτρονικών παιχνιδιών. Επιπροσθέτως, αναφορικά με τη μακροπρόθεσμη διαχείριση της κατάθλιψης, προτείνεται ο σχεδιασμός παρεμβάσεων για τη μείωση της εξάρτησης (Gong et al, 2021˙ Moge & Romano, 2020) και της προβληματικής ενασχόλησης με τα εν λόγω παιχνίδια (Yildiz Durak et al, 2023) και μάλιστα μέσω της χρήσης ειδικά σχεδιασμένων ηλεκτρονικών παιχνιδιών (π.χ., SPARX, Dance Central, Plants vs Zombies) με τεκμηριωμένα θεραπευτικά οφέλη (Ruiz et al, 2022˙ Russoniello et al, 2019. Τέλος, σε περίπτωση εφήβων οι οποίοι εμφανίζουν εξάρτηση από το διαδίκτυο ή Διαταραχή Διαδικτυακού Παιχνιδιού είναι χρήσιμο να διερευνηθεί θεωρητικά αλλά και πρακτικά η ενδεχόμενη αποτελεσματικότητα μιας ομαδικής θεραπείας καθώς και η σύγκριση των αποτελεσμάτων της ομαδικής θεραπείας με αυτά της ατομικής θεραπείας.…”