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Video game access, parental rules, and problem behavior: a study of boys with autism spectrum disorder

Christopher R Engelhardt1, Micah O Mazurek2

  • 1University of Missouri, USA cre8f9@mail.missouri.edu.

Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice
|October 10, 2013
PubMed

Insights

In-room video game access is linked to oppositional behavior in boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Limiting access and setting parental rules may help manage problem behaviors in children with ASD.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Problem behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a significant concern.
  • Environmental factors influencing problem behavior in ASD are understudied.
  • In-room access to screen-based media, particularly video games, is increasingly common.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between in-room video game console access and oppositional behavior in boys with ASD.
  • To explore the role of parental rules regarding video game use in this association.
  • To identify potential environmental correlates of problem behavior in ASD.

Main Methods:

  • A sample of 169 boys with ASD (ages 8-18) was studied.
  • Parents reported on in-room media access (video game console, computer, TV), parental rules for video game use, and child's oppositional behaviors.
  • Multivariate regression models were used to analyze the data.

Main Results:

  • In-room access to a video game console significantly predicted oppositional behavior in boys with ASD.
  • This association remained significant after controlling for access to other media devices and average daily video game hours.
  • The link between video game console access and oppositional behavior was stronger when parents had no rules regarding video game use.

Conclusions:

  • In-room video game console access is a potential correlate of oppositional behavior in boys with ASD.
  • Parental rules and restrictions on video game use may mitigate problem behaviors.
  • Future research should explore these factors experimentally and longitudinally.

Keywords:
autismin-room mediaoppositional behaviorvideo game rulesvideo games

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