Problem video gaming in adolescents: An examination of the Pathways Model

ABSTRACT

Problem video gaming (PVG) is of significant concern among youth and contributes to increases in mental health issues among adolescents. Prevalence rates for PVG are estimated at 1-3% among non-clinical samples. Like problem gambling, it has been hypothesized that individuals reporting PVG are part of a heterogeneous group with different profiles, dependent on specific psychosocial factors. Identifying these profiles allows clinicians to create targeted interventions. The following preliminary study aimed to identify the emotional and behavioral characteristics that distinguish between subgroups of adolescents reporting PVG and how these subgroups compare to those proposed by the Pathways Model. The study included a cross-sectional sample of 288 adolescents reporting PVG  from a Midwestern state. Measures included the Ohio Problem Severity Scales, the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-SF, and frequency of video gaming. A latent class analysis identified four classes which aligned with the subgroups proposed by the Pathways Model (i.e. behavioral conditioned, emotionally vulnerable, and antisocial/impulsivist), and two additional classes which could be considered as milder variants of the emotionally vulnerable and antisocial/impulsivist groups. These results suggest that adolescents reporting PVG form a heterogeneous group, with each profile requiring different considerations in developing targeted interventions. Implications for prevention and future research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescents
• video gaming
• Pathways Model
• problem gaming

Disclosure statement

There were no funding sources, constraints, and/or competing interest declared by the authors in relation to this manuscript.

Preregistration statement

No preregistration was declared by the authors in relation to this manuscript.

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, LM, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Loredana A. Marchica

Loredana A. Marchica is a clinical pediatric psychologist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Her research focuses on the role of emotion regulation as a transdiagnostic construct in behavioral addictions, as well as the role of other protective factors such as mindfulness and their use in prevention and intervention practices for youth at risk.

Jérémie Richard

Jérémie Richard, M.A., is a Ph.D. candidate in the Counselling Psychology Program at McGill University. Jérémie’s dissertation is investigating the pathways involved in the development of problem gambling and problematic video game playing among adolescents and young adults with a focus on externalizing and internalizing problems.

Lia Nower

Lia Nower directs the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University. Her research focuses on etiology, treatment, and policy issues surrounding gambling and gaming. She is a regional assistant editor (International Gambling Studies), an associate editor (Addiction), and a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling Board of Directors.

William Ivoska

William Ivoska is the former Vice President for Student Services at Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio. He is currently a Consultant/Evaluator/Researcher for the Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMHS) Board of Wood County, Ohio and for the Wood County Educational Services Center.

Jeffrey L. Derevensky

Jeffrey L. Derevensky is a James McGill Professor in School/Applied Child Psychology and Professor, Department of Psychiatry at McGill University where he is also the Director of the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors. He is also the Co-Director of McGill University’s Institute for Human Development.