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Game-related behaviors among children and adolescents after school closure during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

◆Aim 
Increased exposure to digital gaming content among youth in recent years has raised serious health concerns. Social restrictions such as  school closures, imposed worldwide because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, may increase exposure to gaming and lead to addictive gaming behavior in young people. In this study,     we investigated gaming behaviors among Japanese students during COVID-19             school closures.

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◆Methods 
Students completed questionnaires regarding their living conditions, game-related behaviors, diagnosis of Internet addiction, psychological difficulties, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We compared differences between the responses of potentially at risk for gaming disorder (potentially at risk for gaming disorder; defined in this paper with reference to the ICD-11 MMS criteria for gaming disorder [PGD]) students who met the criteria for a diagnosis of gaming disorder in ICD-11 MMS and those of control students. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the extent of factors contributing to potential gaming disorder.

◆Results 
Four thousand and forty-eight participants completed the survey. Compared with control students (93%), potentially at risk for gaming disorder (defined in this paper with reference to the ICD-11 MMS criteria for gaming disorder, PGD) students (7%) reported playing games for longer times, spending more money on in-game purchases, were of younger age at the start of game playing, showed a tendency toward Internet dependence, practised school avoidance or absenteeism, and demonstrated the need for psychological support. Moreover, participants in the PGD group reported more anxiety about COVID-19 than control participants, as well as an increase in game-playing time and amount of money spent on games during the COVID-19 pandemic.

◆Conclusion 
These results indicate that young people classified as having a gaming disorder not only exhibit characteristic game-related behaviors but may be psychologically and socially vulnerable and need special support, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

For the details of this research, see
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences Reports
URL:https://doi.org/10.1002/pcn5.37