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How much gaming is too much? An analysis based on psychological distress
Dana Katz1,2, Zsolt Horváth2,3, Halley M Pontes4
11Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
Journal of Behavioral Addictions
|July 18, 2024
Summary
Excessive gaming time is linked to gaming disorder symptoms, but prolonged play doesn't always cause psychological distress. Many gamers play many hours without issues, showing a complex relationship.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Digital Media Studies
Background:
- Concerns exist regarding problematic gaming and potential gaming disorder (GD).
- Conflicting evidence surrounds the association between gaming duration and negative outcomes.
- This study investigates the relationship between time spent gaming and GD symptoms, alongside psychological distress (PD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between average weekly gaming time and reported gaming disorder symptoms.
- To utilize Latent Profile Analysis to understand how gaming duration relates to psychological distress indicators.
- To examine the complex interplay between extensive gaming and psychological well-being in a large cohort of gamers.
Main Methods:
- Surveys were administered to a large sample of highly engaged gamers (N = 14,740).
- Data included average weekly gaming hours, gaming disorder symptoms, and psychological distress measures (life satisfaction, depression, stress).
- Latent Profile Analysis was employed to identify distinct profiles of psychological distress.
Main Results:
- A positive, near-linear association was found between time spent gaming and gaming disorder symptoms.
- Individuals at risk for gaming disorder played approximately 42 hours weekly.
- Four distinct profiles of psychological distress were identified; 4.2% exhibited high PD despite playing 33 hours/week, while 41.9% showed no PD even after 26 hours/week.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between gaming time and psychological distress is nuanced.
- Extended periods of gaming do not invariably lead to problematic outcomes or distress for many individuals.
- Findings suggest that factors beyond mere duration influence the potential for gaming to be unproblematic.
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