Baby with the Bathwater? Examining the Relationship between Video Game Use and Relationship Outcomes and the Moderating Effects of Attachment Behaviors among Married Casual Gamers

Keywords

Video game, relationship, attachment behavior, marriage

Abstract

We examined whether time together as a problem mediates the link between frequency of video game use and relational outcomes (relationship quality, relational aggression, physical aggression) among 431 married couples. We also examined the moderating effect of couple attachment behaviors on the association between time together as a problem and outcomes. There was no support for a direct or indirect relationship between gaming and outcomes; however, time together as a problem was consistently related to outcomes. Additionally, husband's and wife's attachment behaviors moderated the association between women's reports of time together as a problem and men's relational aggression. Clinical implications are discussed.

Original Publication Citation

Bradford, A.B., Dobry, S.*, Sandberg, J.G., & Coyne, S.M. (2018). Baby with the Bathwater? Examining the Relationship between Video Game Use and Relationship Outcomes and the Moderating Effects of Attachment Behaviors among Married Casual Gamers. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. (DOI-10.1111/jmft.12355)

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2018-09-05

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5243

Publisher

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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