Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 3/2011

01-06-2011

Problem Video Game Use and Dimensions of Psychopathology

Authors: Vladan Starcevic, David Berle, Guy Porter, Pauline Fenech

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction | Issue 3/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine associations between problem video game use and psychopathology. The Video Game Use Questionnaire (VGUQ) and the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were administered in an international anonymous online survey. The VGUQ was used to identify problem video game users and SCL-90 assessed dimensions of psychopathology. In comparison with other video game players (n = 1789), those with problem video game use (n = 156) had significantly elevated scores on all SCL-90 subscales. When compared to the U.S. male nonpatients, a significantly greater proportion of male video game players exhibited higher levels of all psychopathology. These findings suggest that there is a non-specific relationship between various domains of psychopathology and video game use in general and problem video game use in particular.
Literature
go back to reference Bernardi, S., & Pallanti, S. (2009). Internet addiction: a descriptive clinical study focusing on comorbidities and dissociative symptoms. Compr Psychiatry, 50, 510–516.PubMedCrossRef Bernardi, S., & Pallanti, S. (2009). Internet addiction: a descriptive clinical study focusing on comorbidities and dissociative symptoms. Compr Psychiatry, 50, 510–516.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Black, D. W., Belsare, G., & Schlosser, S. (1999). Clinical features, psychiatric comorbidity, and health-related quality of life in persons reporting compulsive computer use behavior. J Clin Psychiatry, 60, 839–844.PubMedCrossRef Black, D. W., Belsare, G., & Schlosser, S. (1999). Clinical features, psychiatric comorbidity, and health-related quality of life in persons reporting compulsive computer use behavior. J Clin Psychiatry, 60, 839–844.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Chan, P. A., & Rabinowitz, T. A. (2006). A cross-sectional analysis of video games and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adolescents. Ann. Gen. Psychiatry, 5, 16.PubMedCrossRef Chan, P. A., & Rabinowitz, T. A. (2006). A cross-sectional analysis of video games and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adolescents. Ann. Gen. Psychiatry, 5, 16.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Derogatis, L. R. (1994). Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL-90R): Administration, scoring and procedures manual (3rd ed.). Minneapolis: NCS Pearson. Derogatis, L. R. (1994). Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL-90R): Administration, scoring and procedures manual (3rd ed.). Minneapolis: NCS Pearson.
go back to reference Funk, J. B., Hagan, J., Schimming, J., Bullock, W. A., Buchman, D. D., & Myers, M. (2002). Aggression and psychopathology in adolescents with a preference for violent electronic games. Aggress Behav, 28, 134–144.CrossRef Funk, J. B., Hagan, J., Schimming, J., Bullock, W. A., Buchman, D. D., & Myers, M. (2002). Aggression and psychopathology in adolescents with a preference for violent electronic games. Aggress Behav, 28, 134–144.CrossRef
go back to reference Griffiths, M. D. (2008). Videogame addiction: further thoughts and observations. Int J Ment Health Addict, 6, 182–185.CrossRef Griffiths, M. D. (2008). Videogame addiction: further thoughts and observations. Int J Ment Health Addict, 6, 182–185.CrossRef
go back to reference Ha, J. H., Kim, S. Y., Bae, S. C., Bae, S., Kim, H., Sim, M., et al. (2007). Depression and Internet addiction in adolescents. Psychopathology, 40, 424–430.PubMedCrossRef Ha, J. H., Kim, S. Y., Bae, S. C., Bae, S., Kim, H., Sim, M., et al. (2007). Depression and Internet addiction in adolescents. Psychopathology, 40, 424–430.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Jacobson, N. S., & Traux, P. (1991). Clinical significance: a statistical approach to defining meaningful change in psychotherapy research. J Consult Clin Psychol, 59, 12–19.PubMedCrossRef Jacobson, N. S., & Traux, P. (1991). Clinical significance: a statistical approach to defining meaningful change in psychotherapy research. J Consult Clin Psychol, 59, 12–19.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Kim, E. J., Namkoong, K., Ku, T., & Kim, S. J. (2008). The relationship between online game addiction and aggression, self-control and narcissistic personality traits. Eur Psychiatry, 23, 212–218.PubMedCrossRef Kim, E. J., Namkoong, K., Ku, T., & Kim, S. J. (2008). The relationship between online game addiction and aggression, self-control and narcissistic personality traits. Eur Psychiatry, 23, 212–218.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Ko, C.-H., Yen, J.-Y., Chen, C.-S., Chen, C.-C., & Yen, C.-F. (2008). Psychiatric comorbidity of Internet addiction in college students: an interview study. CNS Spectr, 13, 147–153.PubMed Ko, C.-H., Yen, J.-Y., Chen, C.-S., Chen, C.-C., & Yen, C.-F. (2008). Psychiatric comorbidity of Internet addiction in college students: an interview study. CNS Spectr, 13, 147–153.PubMed
go back to reference Lee, Y. S., Han, D. H., Yang, K. C., Daniels, M. A., Na, C., Kee, B. S., et al. (2008). Depression like characteristics of 5HTTLPR polymorphism and temperament in excessive internet users. J Affect Disord, 109, 165–169.PubMedCrossRef Lee, Y. S., Han, D. H., Yang, K. C., Daniels, M. A., Na, C., Kee, B. S., et al. (2008). Depression like characteristics of 5HTTLPR polymorphism and temperament in excessive internet users. J Affect Disord, 109, 165–169.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Lipman, R. S., Covi, L., & Shapiro, A. K. (1979). The Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL): factors derived from the HSCL-90. J Affect Disord, 1, 9–24.PubMedCrossRef Lipman, R. S., Covi, L., & Shapiro, A. K. (1979). The Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL): factors derived from the HSCL-90. J Affect Disord, 1, 9–24.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Lo, S.-K., Wang, C.-C., & Fang, W. (2005). Physical interpersonal relationships and social anxiety among online game players. Cyberpsychol Behav, 8, 15–20.PubMedCrossRef Lo, S.-K., Wang, C.-C., & Fang, W. (2005). Physical interpersonal relationships and social anxiety among online game players. Cyberpsychol Behav, 8, 15–20.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Ng, B. D., & Wiemer-Hastings, P. (2005). Addiction to the Internet and online gaming. Cyberpsychol Behav, 8, 110–113.PubMedCrossRef Ng, B. D., & Wiemer-Hastings, P. (2005). Addiction to the Internet and online gaming. Cyberpsychol Behav, 8, 110–113.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Peters, C. S., & Malesky, L. A. (2008). Problematic usage among highly-engaged players of massively multiplayer online role playing games. Cyberpsychol Behav, 11, 481–484.PubMedCrossRef Peters, C. S., & Malesky, L. A. (2008). Problematic usage among highly-engaged players of massively multiplayer online role playing games. Cyberpsychol Behav, 11, 481–484.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Porter, G., Starcevic, V., Berle, D., & Fenech, P. (2010). Recognising problem video game use. Aust NZ J Psychiatry, 44, 120–128.CrossRef Porter, G., Starcevic, V., Berle, D., & Fenech, P. (2010). Recognising problem video game use. Aust NZ J Psychiatry, 44, 120–128.CrossRef
go back to reference Shapira, N. A., Goldsmith, T. D., Keck, P. E., Khosla, U. M., & McElroy, S. L. (2000). Psychiatric features of individuals with problematic internet use. J Affect Disord, 57, 267–272.PubMedCrossRef Shapira, N. A., Goldsmith, T. D., Keck, P. E., Khosla, U. M., & McElroy, S. L. (2000). Psychiatric features of individuals with problematic internet use. J Affect Disord, 57, 267–272.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Shaw, M., & Black, D. W. (2008). Internet addiction: definition, assessment, epidemiology and clinical management. CNS Drugs, 22, 353–365.PubMedCrossRef Shaw, M., & Black, D. W. (2008). Internet addiction: definition, assessment, epidemiology and clinical management. CNS Drugs, 22, 353–365.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Wood, R. T. A. (2008). Problems with the concept of video game “addiction”: Some case study examples. Int J Ment Health Addict, 6, 169–178.CrossRef Wood, R. T. A. (2008). Problems with the concept of video game “addiction”: Some case study examples. Int J Ment Health Addict, 6, 169–178.CrossRef
go back to reference Wood, R. T. A., Griffiths, M. D., & Eatough, V. (2004). Online data collection from video game players: methodological issues. Cyberpsychol Behav, 7, 511–518.PubMed Wood, R. T. A., Griffiths, M. D., & Eatough, V. (2004). Online data collection from video game players: methodological issues. Cyberpsychol Behav, 7, 511–518.PubMed
go back to reference Yoo, H. J., Cho, S. C., Ha, J., Yune, S. K., Kim, S. J., Hwang, J., et al. (2004). Attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms and internet addiction. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 58, 487–494.PubMedCrossRef Yoo, H. J., Cho, S. C., Ha, J., Yune, S. K., Kim, S. J., Hwang, J., et al. (2004). Attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms and internet addiction. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 58, 487–494.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Young, K. S., & Rogers, R. C. (1998). The relationship between depression and Internet addiction. Cyberpsychol Behav, 1, 25–28.CrossRef Young, K. S., & Rogers, R. C. (1998). The relationship between depression and Internet addiction. Cyberpsychol Behav, 1, 25–28.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Problem Video Game Use and Dimensions of Psychopathology
Authors
Vladan Starcevic
David Berle
Guy Porter
Pauline Fenech
Publication date
01-06-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction / Issue 3/2011
Print ISSN: 1557-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-010-9282-5

Other articles of this Issue 3/2011

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 3/2011 Go to the issue