Longitudinal Patterns of Problematic Computer Game Use Among Adolescents and Adults: A 2-Year Panel Study

• In Event: Top Competitive Papers in Game Studies

Abstract

In past research, problematic computer game use has been linked to negative psycho-social outcomes such as loneliness, low life satisfaction or success in school. In this study, we investigated the longitudinal patterns (stability and change) of problematic game use as well as its psycho-social causes and consequences in different age groups. Using representative panel data (n = 902) from a 3-wave annual survey of German computer game users, we could show that very few respondents consistently exhibited symptoms of problematic game use across all waves. Changes in problematic gaming were not consistently related to changes in psycho-social well-being. Since our results indicate that problematic gaming is a far less stable condition than previously reported and not systematically related to negative changes in the gamers’ lives, researchers need to seriously reconsider whether problematic gaming by itself is a psychiatrically relevant condition.

Authors

• Michael Scharkow, U of Hohenheim

• Ruth Festl, University of Hohenheim

• Thorsten Quandt, University of Muenster