title: Prevalence and correlates of video and internet gaming addiction among Hong Kong adolescents: a pilot study.
abstract: This pilot study investigated the patterns of video and internet gaming habits and the prevalence and correlates of gaming addiction in Hong Kong adolescents. A total of 503 students were recruited from two secondary schools. Addictive behaviors of video and internet gaming were assessed using the Game Addiction Scale. Risk factors for gaming addiction were examined using logistical regression. An overwhelming majority of the subjects (94%) reported using video or internet games, with one in six (15.6%) identified as having a gaming addiction. The risk for gaming addiction was significantly higher among boys, those with poor academic performance, and those who preferred multiplayer online games. Gaming addiction was significantly associated with the average time spent gaming per week, frequency of spending money on gaming, period of spending money on gaming, perceived family disharmony, and having more close friends. These results suggest that effective educational and preventative programs or strategies are needed.
authors.affiliation: Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Chong-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong ; Department of Social Work & Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Cecilia L W
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Kwok-Kei
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Sai-Yin
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work & Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Paul W C
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong ; Department of Social Work & Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Rainbow T H
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018910:Video Games / Q000009:adverse effects*