An Examination of Correlates of Video Game and Internet Addiction
Within the field of addiction, there is a growing body of research surrounding the phenomenon of electronic media addiction. Internet addiction has a growing research base, and evidence is emerging that video game addiction may also be a diagnosable disorder. Many believe that research justifies the use of criteria modified from pathological gambling (also a type of behavioral addiction) to examine problematic video game play. The goal of the current study was to identify correlates of addiction to electronic media. Two studies were conducted. In Study 1, adults completed questionnaires assessing background information, video game habits, game engagement, and symptoms of video game and Internet addiction. In Study 2 parent/child dyads completed modified versions of the same measures. Responses indicated that males typically play more hours than females, are more likely to play video games online, and experience greater game engagement. Females had higher scores on the Internet addiction measure, and female gender emerged with online game play as a predictor of Internet addiction, however the sample may overrepresent female gamers. Parents tended to agree with their child on the genre of their child’s favorite game, symptoms of Internet addiction, and game engagement. Disagreement was most prominent for hours spent playing video games and symptoms of video game addiction. Overall, present results support continued work to understand excessive Internet use and video game play.
Psychology, video game, Internet, addiction, gender, adult, parent, child, correlates, predictors
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