Journal Article

Prevalence and Correlates of Video and Internet Gaming Addiction among Hong Kong Adolescents: A Pilot Study

Chan, Cecilia Lai Wan, Mak, Kwok-Kei, Ho, S.-Y., Wang, Chong-wen, Ho, Rainbow T. H., Wong, Paul W. C.

2014

Overview

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.

• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation,John Wiley & Sons, Inc,Hindawi Limited,Wiley
• Subject: Academic achievement / Addictions / Adolescent / Adolescent behavior / Adolescents / Behavior, Addictive - epidemiology / Behavior, Addictive - prevention & control / Computer & video games / Cronbach's alpha / Families & family life / Female / Health aspects / Hong Kong / Humans / Internet / Internet addiction / Likert scale / Male / Pathological Internet Use / Pilot Projects / Prevalence studies (Epidemiology) / Psychological aspects / Questionnaires / Risk factors / Schools / Smartphones / Statistics / Students / Teenagers / Video games / Video Games - adverse effects / Young adults