Prevalence and Predictors of Video Game Addiction: A Study Based on a National Representative Sample of Gamers.
Video gaming has become a popular leisure activity in many parts of the world, and an increasing number of empirical studies examine the small minority that appears to develop problems as a result of excessive gaming. This study investigated prevalence rates and predictors of video game addiction in a sample of gamers, randomly selected from the National Population Registry of Norway (N= 3389). Results showed there were 1.4 % addicted gamers, 7.3 % problem gamers, 3.9 % engaged gamers, and 87.4 % normal gamers. Gender (being male) and age group (being young) were positively associated with addicted-, problem-, and engaged gamers. Place of birth (Africa, Asia, South- and Middle America) were positively associated with addicted- and problem gamers. Video game addiction was negatively associated with conscientiousness and positively associated with neuroticism. Poor psychosomatic health was positively associated with problem- and engaged gaming. These factors provide insight into the field of video game addiction, and may help to provide guidance as to how individuals that are at risk of becoming addicted gamers can be identified.
Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Christiesgate 12, 5015 Bergen, Norway.
Charlotte Thoresen
CT
Wittek
Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Christiesgate 12, 5015 Bergen, Norway.
Turi Reiten
TR
Finserås
Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Ståle
S
Pallesen
Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Rune Aune
RA
Mentzoni
Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences and Social Work, Hochschule Darmstadt - University of Applied Sciences, Darmstadt, Germany.
Daniel
D
Hanss
International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Division, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
Mark D
MD
Griffiths
Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Christiesgate 12, 5015 Bergen, Norway.
Helge
H
Molde
Demographic variables; Personality traits; Prevalence; Psychosomatic health; Video game addiction
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