Problematic Facebook Use and Problematic Video Gaming Among Female and Male Gamers

Abstract

The development of modern technologies has facilitated positive functioning in various aspects of everyday life. However, in addition to positive changes, there are also issues related to problematic behavior associated with new technologies and new media, such as problematic Facebook use (PFU) and problematic video gaming (PVG). Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to present the specificity of these problematic behaviors in a group of gamers and to determine their predictors and interrelatedness. In addition, the aim was to analyze the differences between male and female gamers. The study comprised 1,270 gamers (684 female gamers; age range from 15 to 34 years; M = 19.17 years; SD = 2.91 years). The intensity of PFU was assessed using the Facebook Intrusion Scale, and intensity of PVG was assessed using the Problem Video Game Playing Questionnaire. Results, showed that 6.4% of females had high levels of PFU compared to 3.1% of males, and that 1.8% of females had high levels of PVG compared to 5.8% of males. Structural equation modeling showed different predicators for PIU and PVG, despite the correlation between both problematic behaviors. The present findings enable better understanding of the relationship between PVG and PFU among gamers and differences between female and male gamers.

Problematic Facebook use and problematic video gaming as mediators of relationship between impulsivity and life satisfaction among female and male gamers

“…The present study also showed that male gamers had a higher level of PVG and more time spent gaming per week compare to female gamers. This result is in line with previous research [20,146]. Additionally, Hamlen [147] postulated that the increased gaming might lead to increased feelings of success and achievement, which then leads to increased playing time among male gamers.…”

“…PFU and PVG were considered as predictors of life satisfaction in the model (see [17,112]). Additionally, the relationship between Facebook hours and PFU as well as game hours and PVG was included (see [20]).…”

“…The scale has good psychometric properties, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.84 in the present study. The scale has also been used in studies designed to investigate PFU in Poland [20,107] and different countries such as China, Greece, Israel, Italy, Poland, Romania, Turkey and the USA [106].…”

“…More specifically, taking into account the relationship between impulsivity and life satisfaction [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35], it can be assumed that problematic behaviors such as PFU and PVG may mediate the relationship between impulsivity and life satisfaction. However, taking into account the differences between males and females in terms of problematic online behaviors [20,62], possible gender differences should be taken into account.…”

“…between male and female Facebook users and videogame players [20], gender may differentiate the aforementioned relationships.…”