Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 2/2013

01-04-2013

Assessing Problematic Video Gaming Using the Theory of Planned Behavior: A Longitudinal Study of Dutch Young People

Authors: Maria C. Haagsma, Daniel L. King, Marcel E. Pieterse, Oscar Peters

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction | Issue 2/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

Although excessive video gaming has been linked to a range of psychological problems in young people, there have been few systematic attempts to conceptualize problem gaming using established psychological theory. The aim of this study was to examine problematic game use (PGU) using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A two-wave, six-month longitudinal study examined relationships between core components of the TPB model, video gaming activity and problematic video-game play. Respondents were recruited from nine pre-vocational and senior vocational schools in the western region of the Netherlands. The sample consisted of 810 video game-playing adolescents and young adults (72.8 % boys) aged 12 to 22 years. The results showed that TPB predictors, including subjective norm, perceived behavioral control (PBC) and descriptive norm, explained 13 % of the variance in video gaming intention. Although TBP variables accounted for a significant amount of variance in PGU scores at baseline, the TPB model was less useful in predicting future gaming behavior and PGU. Perceived behavioral control was found to be the most important factor in predicting problem video-gaming behavior, this has some practical implications with regard to the treatment of problem video-gaming among young people. For example, assessing a client’s perceived lack of control over gaming may be a simple but useful screening measure to evaluate risk of future problem play. Furthermore, treatment strategies may be aimed at helping the client to rebuild self-control.
Literature
go back to reference Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 179–211.CrossRef Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 179–211.CrossRef
go back to reference Ajzen, I., & Fishbein, M. (1980). Understanding attitudes and predicting social behavior. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall. Ajzen, I., & Fishbein, M. (1980). Understanding attitudes and predicting social behavior. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall.
go back to reference Ajzen, I., & Madden, T. J. (1986). Prediction of goal-directed behavior: attitudes, intentions, and perceived behavioral control. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 22, 453–474.CrossRef Ajzen, I., & Madden, T. J. (1986). Prediction of goal-directed behavior: attitudes, intentions, and perceived behavioral control. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 22, 453–474.CrossRef
go back to reference American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington: American Psychiatric Association. American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington: American Psychiatric Association.
go back to reference Armitage, C. J., & Conner, M. (2001). Efficacy of the theory of planned behaviour: a meta–analytic review. British Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 471–499.PubMedCrossRef Armitage, C. J., & Conner, M. (2001). Efficacy of the theory of planned behaviour: a meta–analytic review. British Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 471–499.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Charlton, J. P., & Danforth, I. D. W. (2007). Distinguishing addiction and high engagement in the context of online game playing. Computers in Human Behavior, 23, 1531–1548.CrossRef Charlton, J. P., & Danforth, I. D. W. (2007). Distinguishing addiction and high engagement in the context of online game playing. Computers in Human Behavior, 23, 1531–1548.CrossRef
go back to reference Cole, H., & Griffiths, M. D. (2007). Social interactions in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing gamers. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 10, 575–583.CrossRef Cole, H., & Griffiths, M. D. (2007). Social interactions in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing gamers. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 10, 575–583.CrossRef
go back to reference De Bruijn, G. J., Kremers, S. P. J., Singh, A., Van den Putte, B., & Van Mechelen, W. (2009). Adult active transportation: adding habit strength to the theory of planned behavior. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 36, 189–194.PubMedCrossRef De Bruijn, G. J., Kremers, S. P. J., Singh, A., Van den Putte, B., & Van Mechelen, W. (2009). Adult active transportation: adding habit strength to the theory of planned behavior. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 36, 189–194.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference De Vries, H., Backbier, E., Kok, G., & Dijkstra, M. (1995). The impact of social influences in the context of attitude, self–efficacy, intention, and previous behavior as predictors of smoking onset. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 25, 237–257.CrossRef De Vries, H., Backbier, E., Kok, G., & Dijkstra, M. (1995). The impact of social influences in the context of attitude, self–efficacy, intention, and previous behavior as predictors of smoking onset. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 25, 237–257.CrossRef
go back to reference Esen, B. K., & Gündoğdu, M. (2010). The relationship between Internet addiction, peer pressure and perceived social support among adolescents. The International Journal of Educational Researchers, 2, 29–36. Esen, B. K., & Gündoğdu, M. (2010). The relationship between Internet addiction, peer pressure and perceived social support among adolescents. The International Journal of Educational Researchers, 2, 29–36.
go back to reference Fillmore, M. T. (2003). Drug abuse as a problem of impaired control: current approaches and findings. Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews, 2, 179–197.PubMedCrossRef Fillmore, M. T. (2003). Drug abuse as a problem of impaired control: current approaches and findings. Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews, 2, 179–197.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Beliefs, attitude, intention and behavior: an introduction to the theory and research. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Beliefs, attitude, intention and behavior: an introduction to the theory and research. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
go back to reference Gentile, D. (2009). Pathological video-game use among youth ages 8 to 18: a national study. Psychological Science, 20, 594–602.PubMedCrossRef Gentile, D. (2009). Pathological video-game use among youth ages 8 to 18: a national study. Psychological Science, 20, 594–602.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Gentile, D., Choo, H., Liau, A., Sim, T., Li, D., Fung, D., & Khoo, A. (2011). Pathological video game use among youths: a 2-year longitudinal study. Pediatrics, 127, e319–e329.PubMedCrossRef Gentile, D., Choo, H., Liau, A., Sim, T., Li, D., Fung, D., & Khoo, A. (2011). Pathological video game use among youths: a 2-year longitudinal study. Pediatrics, 127, e319–e329.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Griffiths, M. (2010). The role of context in online gaming excess and addiction: some case study evidence. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8, 119–125.CrossRef Griffiths, M. (2010). The role of context in online gaming excess and addiction: some case study evidence. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8, 119–125.CrossRef
go back to reference Griffiths, M. D., Davies, M. N. O., & Chappell, D. (2004). Online computer gaming: a comparison of adolescent and adult gamers. Journal of Adolescence, 27, 87–96.PubMedCrossRef Griffiths, M. D., Davies, M. N. O., & Chappell, D. (2004). Online computer gaming: a comparison of adolescent and adult gamers. Journal of Adolescence, 27, 87–96.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Grube, J. W., Morgan, M., & McGree, S. T. (1986). Attitudes and normative beliefs as predictors of smoking intentions and behaviours: a test of three models. British Journal of Social Psychology, 25, 81–93.PubMedCrossRef Grube, J. W., Morgan, M., & McGree, S. T. (1986). Attitudes and normative beliefs as predictors of smoking intentions and behaviours: a test of three models. British Journal of Social Psychology, 25, 81–93.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Haagsma, M. C., Pieterse, M. E., & Peters, O. (2012). The prevalence of problematic video gamers in the Netherlands. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 15, 162–168.PubMedCrossRef Haagsma, M. C., Pieterse, M. E., & Peters, O. (2012). The prevalence of problematic video gamers in the Netherlands. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 15, 162–168.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Hsu, C., & Lu, H. (2004). Why do people play on-line games? an extended TAM with social influences and flow experience. Information Management, 41, 853–868.CrossRef Hsu, C., & Lu, H. (2004). Why do people play on-line games? an extended TAM with social influences and flow experience. Information Management, 41, 853–868.CrossRef
go back to reference Jansz, J., & Martens, L. (2005). Gaming at a LAN event: the social context of playing video games. New Media & Society, 7, 333–355.CrossRef Jansz, J., & Martens, L. (2005). Gaming at a LAN event: the social context of playing video games. New Media & Society, 7, 333–355.CrossRef
go back to reference King, D., Delfabbro, P., & Griffiths, M. (2010a). Recent innovations in video game addiction research and theory. Global Media Journal-Australian Edition, 4, 1–13. King, D., Delfabbro, P., & Griffiths, M. (2010a). Recent innovations in video game addiction research and theory. Global Media Journal-Australian Edition, 4, 1–13.
go back to reference King, D., Delfabbro, P., & Griffiths, M. (2010b). The role of structural characteristics in problematic video game play: an empirical study. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 9, 1–14. King, D., Delfabbro, P., & Griffiths, M. (2010b). The role of structural characteristics in problematic video game play: an empirical study. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 9, 1–14.
go back to reference King, D. L., Delfabbro, P. H., Griffiths, M. D., & Gradisar, M. (2012). Cognitive-behavioral approaches to outpatient treatment of Internet addiction in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session, 68, 1185–1195.PubMedCrossRef King, D. L., Delfabbro, P. H., Griffiths, M. D., & Gradisar, M. (2012). Cognitive-behavioral approaches to outpatient treatment of Internet addiction in children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session, 68, 1185–1195.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Klimmt, C., Schmid, H., & Orthmann, J. (2009). Exploring the enjoyment of playing browser games. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 12, 231–234.CrossRef Klimmt, C., Schmid, H., & Orthmann, J. (2009). Exploring the enjoyment of playing browser games. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 12, 231–234.CrossRef
go back to reference Ko, C. H., Yen, J. Y., Chen, C. C., Chen, S. H., & Yen, C. F. (2005). Gender differences and related factors affecting online gaming addiction among Taiwanese adolescents. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 193, 273–277.PubMedCrossRef Ko, C. H., Yen, J. Y., Chen, C. C., Chen, S. H., & Yen, C. F. (2005). Gender differences and related factors affecting online gaming addiction among Taiwanese adolescents. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 193, 273–277.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference LaRose, R. (2010). The problem with media habits. Communication Theory, 20, 194–222.CrossRef LaRose, R. (2010). The problem with media habits. Communication Theory, 20, 194–222.CrossRef
go back to reference LaRose, R., & Eastin, M. S. (2004). A social cognitive theory of Internet uses and gratifications: toward a new model of media attendance. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 48, 358–377.CrossRef LaRose, R., & Eastin, M. S. (2004). A social cognitive theory of Internet uses and gratifications: toward a new model of media attendance. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 48, 358–377.CrossRef
go back to reference Lee, D., & LaRose, R. (2007). A socio-cognitive model of video game usage. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 51, 632–650.CrossRef Lee, D., & LaRose, R. (2007). A socio-cognitive model of video game usage. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 51, 632–650.CrossRef
go back to reference Lee, M. C., & Tsai, T. R. (2010). What drives people to continue to play online games? an extension of technology model and theory of planned behavior. International Journal of Human Computer Interaction, 26, 601–620.CrossRef Lee, M. C., & Tsai, T. R. (2010). What drives people to continue to play online games? an extension of technology model and theory of planned behavior. International Journal of Human Computer Interaction, 26, 601–620.CrossRef
go back to reference Lemmens, J. S., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2009). Development and validation of a game addiction scale for adolescents. Media Psychology, 12, 77–95.CrossRef Lemmens, J. S., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2009). Development and validation of a game addiction scale for adolescents. Media Psychology, 12, 77–95.CrossRef
go back to reference Lemmens, J. S., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2011). Psychosocial causes and consequences of pathological gaming. Computers in Human Behavior, 27, 144–152.CrossRef Lemmens, J. S., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2011). Psychosocial causes and consequences of pathological gaming. Computers in Human Behavior, 27, 144–152.CrossRef
go back to reference Liu, M., & Peng, W. (2009). Cognitive and psychological predictors of the negative outcomes associated with playing MMOGs (massively multiplayer online games). Computers in Human Behavior, 25, 1306–1311.CrossRef Liu, M., & Peng, W. (2009). Cognitive and psychological predictors of the negative outcomes associated with playing MMOGs (massively multiplayer online games). Computers in Human Behavior, 25, 1306–1311.CrossRef
go back to reference Mentzoni, R. A., Brunborg, G. S., Molde, H., Myrseth, H., Skouveroe, K. J. M., Hetland, J., & Pallesen, S. (2011). Problematic video game use: estimated prevalence and associations with mental and physical health. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 14, 591–596.PubMedCrossRef Mentzoni, R. A., Brunborg, G. S., Molde, H., Myrseth, H., Skouveroe, K. J. M., Hetland, J., & Pallesen, S. (2011). Problematic video game use: estimated prevalence and associations with mental and physical health. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 14, 591–596.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference O’Connor, J., & Dickerson, M. (2003). Impaired control over gambling in gaming machine and off-course gamblers. Addiction, 1, 53–60.CrossRef O’Connor, J., & Dickerson, M. (2003). Impaired control over gambling in gaming machine and off-course gamblers. Addiction, 1, 53–60.CrossRef
go back to reference Pelling, E. L., & White, K. M. (2009). The theory of planned behavior applied to young people’s use of social networking web sites. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 12, 755–759.CrossRef Pelling, E. L., & White, K. M. (2009). The theory of planned behavior applied to young people’s use of social networking web sites. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 12, 755–759.CrossRef
go back to reference Rehbein, F., Kleimann, M., & Möβle, T. (2010). Prevalence and risk factors of video game dependency in adolescence: results of a German nationwide survey. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 13, 269–277.CrossRef Rehbein, F., Kleimann, M., & Möβle, T. (2010). Prevalence and risk factors of video game dependency in adolescence: results of a German nationwide survey. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 13, 269–277.CrossRef
go back to reference Rivis, A., & Sheeran, P. (2003). Descriptive norms as an additional predictor in the theory of planned behavior: a meta-analysis. Current Psychology, 22, 218–233.CrossRef Rivis, A., & Sheeran, P. (2003). Descriptive norms as an additional predictor in the theory of planned behavior: a meta-analysis. Current Psychology, 22, 218–233.CrossRef
go back to reference Sheeran, P., & Orbell, S. (1999). Augmenting the theory of planned behavior: roles for anticipated regret and descriptive norms. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 29, 2107–2142.CrossRef Sheeran, P., & Orbell, S. (1999). Augmenting the theory of planned behavior: roles for anticipated regret and descriptive norms. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 29, 2107–2142.CrossRef
go back to reference Van Rooij, A. J., Schoenmakers, T., Vermulst, A. D., Van den Eijnden, R. J. J. M., & Van de Mheen, D. (2011). Online video game addiction: identification of addicted adolescent gamers. Addiction, 106, 205–212.PubMedCrossRef Van Rooij, A. J., Schoenmakers, T., Vermulst, A. D., Van den Eijnden, R. J. J. M., & Van de Mheen, D. (2011). Online video game addiction: identification of addicted adolescent gamers. Addiction, 106, 205–212.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Verplanken, B., & Aarts, H. (1999). Habit, attitude, and planned behaviour: is habit an empty construct or an interesting case of goal-directed automaticity? European Review of Social Psychology, 10, 101–134.CrossRef Verplanken, B., & Aarts, H. (1999). Habit, attitude, and planned behaviour: is habit an empty construct or an interesting case of goal-directed automaticity? European Review of Social Psychology, 10, 101–134.CrossRef
go back to reference Wu, A. M. S., & Tang, C. S. (2012). Problem gambling of Chinese college students: application of the theory of planned behavior. Journal of Gambling Studies, 28, 315–324.PubMedCrossRef Wu, A. M. S., & Tang, C. S. (2012). Problem gambling of Chinese college students: application of the theory of planned behavior. Journal of Gambling Studies, 28, 315–324.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Yee, N. (2006). Motivations for play in online games. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 9, 772–775.CrossRef Yee, N. (2006). Motivations for play in online games. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 9, 772–775.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Assessing Problematic Video Gaming Using the Theory of Planned Behavior: A Longitudinal Study of Dutch Young People
Authors
Maria C. Haagsma
Daniel L. King
Marcel E. Pieterse
Oscar Peters
Publication date
01-04-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 1557-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-012-9407-0

Other articles of this Issue 2/2013

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 2/2013 Go to the issue