scholarly journals Are Some Subtypes of Video Gamer More at Risk for Gambling Issues? A Latent Class Analysis of a Canadian Sample of University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffery Biegun ◽  
Jason D Edgerton ◽  
Matthew T Keough

Recently there has been growing interest in identifying links between video game playing and problem gambling. As video games continue to take on more gambling-like elements such as loot boxes, there is rising concern that they represent a potential pathway towards problem gambling. In this study, we explored video gamer profiles in a sample of Canadian undergraduate university students (n = 687) to examine whether subgroups of gamers had different risk profiles for problem video gaming and/or problem gambling. Three predominant subgroups emerged: universal, free-to-play, and general gamer classes. Whereas the free-to-play class was associated with higher average amounts of time spent playing video games, the universal class was associated with higher average scores on measures of problem video gaming, problem gambling, and impulsivity. Although motivational differences were evident, there were no significant mental health differences among subgroups in this sample.RésuméOn s’intéresse de plus en plus depuis peu de temps à l’établissement de liens entre la pratique des jeux vidéo et le jeu compulsif. À mesure que les jeux vidéo comportent davantage d’éléments de jeux de hasard comme des coffres à butin, on s’inquiète davantage du fait qu’ils puissent mener au jeu compulsif. Cette étude a examiné le profil de joueurs de jeux vidéo parmi un échantillon d’étudiants canadiens de premier cycle (n = 687) afin de déterminer si les sous-groupes de joueurs présentaient un profil de risque différent pour le jeu vidéo compulsif et/ou le jeu compulsif. Trois sous-groupes prédominants sont ressortis : universel, gratuit et général. Le groupe des jeux gratuits était associé à une plus grande quantité de temps consacrée à jouer à des jeux vidéo, le groupe universel était associé pour sa part à un pointage moyen plus élevé au titre des paramètres de mesure du jeu vidéo compulsif, du jeu compulsif et de l’impulsivité. Les différences de motivation étaient évidentes, mais les sous-groupes de cet échantillon ne présentaient aucune différence importante sur le plan de la santé mentale.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Zendle

A variety of practices have recently emerged which are related to both video games and gambling. Most prominent of these are loot boxes. However, a broad range of other activities have recently emerged which are also related to both gambling and video games: esports betting, real-money video gaming, token wagering, social casino play, and watching videos of both loot box opening and gambling on game streaming services like Twitch.Whilst a nascent body of research has established the robust existence of a relationship between loot box spending and both problem gambling and disordered gaming, little research exists which examines whether similar links may exist for the diverse practices outlined above. Furthermore, no research has thus far attempted to estimate the prevalence of these activities.A large-scale survey of a representative sample of UK adults (n=1081) was therefore conducted in order to investigate these issues. Engagement in all measured forms of gambling-like video game practices were significantly associated with both problem gambling and disordered gaming. An aggregate measure of engagement was associated with both these outcomes to a clinically significant degree (r=0.23 and r=0.43). Engagement in gambling-like video game practices appeared widespread, with a 95% confidence interval estimating that 16.3% – 20.9% of the population engaged in these activities at least once in the last year. Engagement in these practices was highly inter-correlated: Individuals who engaged in one practice were likely to engage in several more.Overall, these results suggest that the potential effects of the blurring of lines between video games and gambling should not primarily be understood to be due to the presence of loot boxes in video games. They suggest the existence of a convergent ecosystem of gambling-like video game practices, whose causal relationships with problem gambling and disordered gaming are currently unclear but must urgently be investigated.


2021 ◽  
pp. 146144482110271
Author(s):  
Stuart Gordon Spicer ◽  
Laura Louise Nicklin ◽  
Maria Uther ◽  
Joanne Lloyd ◽  
Helen Lloyd ◽  
...  

Loot boxes (LBs) are video game-related purchases with a chance-based outcome. Due to similarities with gambling, they have come under increasing scrutiny from media, academics and policymakers alike. Initial evidence suggested that LB engagement might be associated with both problem gambling (PG) and problem video gaming (PVG). We therefore conducted a systematic review of the evidence for associations between LB purchasing, PG and PVG. For LB/PG, 12 of 13 publications reported a positive relationship, with a moderately sized mean effect of r = .27. For LB/PVG, the mean effect was r = .40, although this finding was drawn from only six surveys in total. For PG/PVG, the mean effect was r = .21, with only 11 of 20 studies reporting significant effects. While further evidence is required to determine the direction of causality, the strength of relationships suggests that policy action on LBs may have benefits for harm minimisation.


2020 ◽  
pp. 155541201989752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Biegun ◽  
Jason D. Edgerton ◽  
Lance W. Roberts

Recently, the issue of problem online video game playing and its potential connection with problem gambling has drawn increased attention. Although conceptually similar to many behavioral addictions, there is still no clear consensus on how to best measure and assess problem video game playing. This study validates one proposed measure of problem video gaming—the Problem Video Game Playing Test (PVGT)—in a Canadian undergraduate university student sample. Multivariate results indicate that problem video gaming is positively associated with the average length of time spent gaming, social alienation, and online gaming motives such as competition, escape, coping, recreation, and socializing; but, contrary to the gateway hypothesis, problem gambling and several of its mental health correlates—depression, anxiety, and stress—are not associated with problem video gaming as measured by the PVGT. Limitations and implications of this analysis are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Zendle

Loot boxes are items in video games that may be paid for with real-world money, but which contain randomised contents. There is a reliable correlation between loot box spending and problem gambling severity: The more money gamers spend on loot boxes, the more severe their problem gambling tends to be. However, it is unclear whether this link represents a case in which loot box spending causes problem gambling; a case in which the gambling-like nature of loot boxes cause problem gamblers to spend more money; or whether it simply represents a case in which there is a general dysregulation in in-game spending amongst problem gamblers, nonspecific to loot boxes.The multiplayer video game Heroes of the Storm recently removed loot boxes. In order to better understand links between loot boxes and problem gambling, we conducted an analysis of players of Heroes of the Storm (n=112) both before and after the removal of loot boxes.There were a complex pattern of results. In general, when loot boxes were removed from Heroes of the Storm, problem gamblers appeared to spend significantly less money in-game in contrast to other groups. These results suggest that the presence of loot boxes in a game may lead to problem gamblers spending more money in-game. It therefore seems possible that links between loot box spending and problem gambling are not due to a general dysregulation in in-game spending amongst problem gamblers, but rather are to do with specific features of loot boxes themselves.


2022 ◽  
pp. 28-49
Author(s):  
Sergio Alloza Castillo ◽  
Flavio Escribano ◽  
Óscar Rodrigo González López ◽  
María Buenadicha Mateos

The preconceived notion concerning negative effects of video games and students' academic performance is a widely known subject. However, some investigations explore the positive impact of video games on academic performance. With a sample of 247 university students, this chapter studies the perception of both gamers and non-gamers about soft skills and their current relevance in academic and professional fields. The possible relationships linking the intensity of the usage of video games, academic performance, and the perception concerning soft skills are investigated. The results expose a generalized positive perception respecting the relation between video games and the development of soft skills, specifically to the video game genre and its relevance and influence on academic performance, as well as gender differences, where women prevail in emotional and social managements, although this influence is not elevated.


Author(s):  
Isabelle Lamoureux

Research Roundtable: Undergraduate university students benefit from information literacy (IL) instructions and yet they resist learning IL. This research proposes to explore the factors responsible for students’ resistance to IL in order to create a conceptual model and to improve information literacy instruction.Tables rondes: Les étudiants universitaires de premier cycle tirent avantage de séances d’enseignement de la maîtrise de l’information et malgré tout, ils font preuve de résistance. Ce processus de recherche explore les facteurs responsables de la résistances des étudiants afin de créer un modèle conceptuel et d’améliorer l’enseignement de la maîtrise de l’information.


Author(s):  
Janet C. Dunlop

Today’s media are vast in both form and influence; however, few cultural studies scholars address the video gaming industry’s role in domestic maintenance and global imposition of U.S. hegemonic ideologies. In this study, video games are analyzed by cover art, content, and origin of production. Whether it is earning more “powers” in games such as Star Wars, or earning points to purchase more powerful artillery in Grand Theft Auto, capitalist ideology is reinforced in a subtle, entertaining fashion. This study shows that oppressive hegemonic representations of gender and race are not only present, but permeate the majority of top-selling video games. Finally, the study traces the origins of best-selling games, to reveal a virtual U.S. monopoly in the content of this formative medium.


Author(s):  
Janet C. Dunlop

Today’s media are vast in both form and influence; however, few cultural studies scholars address the video gaming industry’s role in domestic maintenance and global imposition of U.S. hegemonic ideologies. In this study, video games are analyzed by cover art, content, and origin of production. Whether it is earning more “powers” in games such as Star Wars, or earning points to purchase more powerful artillery in Grand Theft Auto, capitalist ideology is reinforced in a subtle, entertaining fashion. This study shows that oppressive hegemonic representations of gender and race are not only present, but permeate the majority of top-selling video games. Finally, the study traces the origins of best-selling games, to reveal a virtual U.S. monopoly in the content of this formative medium.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 539-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devin J. Mills ◽  
Loredana Marchica ◽  
Matthew T. Keough ◽  
Jeffrey L. Derevensky

2015 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Chaput ◽  
A. Tremblay ◽  
B. Pereira ◽  
Y. Boirie ◽  
M. Duclos ◽  
...  

AbstractAlthough a few data are available regarding the impact of video games on energy intake (EI) in lean adolescents, there is no evidence on the effect of passive and active video gaming on food intake in both lean and obese youth. It is also unknown whether isoenergetic active video games and exercise differently affect food consumption in youth. In all, twelve lean and twelve obese adolescent boys (12–15 years old) had to complete four 1-h sessions in a cross-over design study: control (CON; sitting), passive video game (PVG; boxing game on Xbox 360), active video game (AVG; boxing game on Xbox Kinect 360) and exercise (EX; cycling). The exercise and active video game activities were designed to generate the same energy expenditure (EE). EE was measured using a K4b2 portable indirect calorimeter. Ad libitum food intake and appetite sensations were assessed following the sessions. AVG and EX-EE were significantly higher in obese participants and significantly higher compared with PVG and CON in both groups. Obese participants significantly ate more than lean ones in all four conditions (P<0·001). EI did not differ between conditions in obese participants (CON: 4935 (sd 1490) kJ; PVG: 4902 (sd 1307) kJ; AVG: 4728 (sd 1358) kJ; EX: 4643 (sd 1335) kJ), and was significantly lower in lean participants after EX (2847 (sd 577) kJ) compared with PVG (3580 (sd 863) kJ) and AVG (3485 (sd 643) kJ) (P<0·05). Macronutrient intake was not significantly different between the groups or conditions. Hunger was significantly higher and satiety was lower in obese participants but no condition effect was observed. Overall, moderate-intensity exercise provides better effect on energy balance than an isoenergetic hour of active video gaming in lean adolescent boys by dually affecting EE and EI.


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