Excessive Computer Game Playing: Evidence for Addiction and Aggression?

TLDR

Computer games have become an ever‑increasing part of many adolescents’ daily lives, and reports of excessive gaming—termed “computer/video game addiction”—have been discussed in both popular press and recent scientific research. The study investigates the addictive potential of gaming and its relationship with aggressive attitudes and behavior. A sample of 7,069 gamers completed two online questionnaires. The study found that 11.9 % of gamers met addiction criteria, that aggression was only weakly related to excessive gaming, and that even non‑monetary gaming can be addictive, underscoring the need for prevention and intervention.

Abstract

Computer games have become an ever-increasing part of many adolescents' day-to-day lives. Coupled with this phenomenon, reports of excessive gaming (computer game playing) denominated as "computer/video game addiction" have been discussed in the popular press as well as in recent scientific research. The aim of the present study was the investigation of the addictive potential of gaming as well as the relationship between excessive gaming and aggressive attitudes and behavior. A sample comprising of 7069 gamers answered two questionnaires online. Data revealed that 11.9% of participants (840 gamers) fulfilled diagnostic criteria of addiction concerning their gaming behavior, while there is only weak evidence for the assumption that aggressive behavior is interrelated with excessive gaming in general. Results of this study contribute to the assumption that also playing games without monetary reward meets criteria of addiction. Hence, an addictive potential of gaming should be taken into consideration regarding prevention and intervention.