Keywords
video game, media, physiology, adolescence, pathologic, Internet addiction, computer game
Abstract
Purpose: Pathologic video game use (PVGU) has been associated with a host of negative psychological, physical, and social outcomes during adolescence; however, little research has examined physiological predictors of such use. The purpose of the study was to examine physiological predictors of the development of PVGU across adolescence.
Methods: The article involves a 1-year longitudinal study across midadolescence. Participants were 374 adolescents and their parents from a large metropolitan area in the Northwest United States. PVGU was assessed via questionnaire, as were a number of control variables. A number of physiological indicators including respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and galvanic skin conductance (indices of parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system activity, respectively) were measured during baseline, a cognitively stimulating task (Rubik's cube), and a family problem-solving task.
Results: Less RSA withdrawal to a cognitively simulating task was related to greater pathologic video game symptoms, but less RSA withdrawal to a family problem-solving task was associated with the presence of pathologic video game symptoms (p < .05). For girls only, galvanic skin conductance activation during the family problem solving was related to greater pathologic video game symptoms (p < .01).
Conclusions: These findings suggest that adolescents who do not find cognitive tasks stimulating physiologically have a greater severity of PVGU. Additionally, adolescents who show physiological signs of stress in a family task were more likely to have PVGU symptoms and only girls have more severe PVGU levels. This study is the first to show that physiological indicators predict PVGU over time in adolescence and has important implications regarding the prevention and treatment of PVGU in adolescence.
Original Publication Citation
Coyne, S. M., Dyer, W. J., *Densley, R., *Money, N. M., Day, R. D., & Harper, J. M. (2015). Physiological indicators of pathological video game use in adolescence. Journal of Adolescent Health, 56, 307-313
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Coyne, Sarah M.; Dyer, W. Justin; Densley, Rebecca; Money, Nathan M.; Day, Randal D.; and Harper, James M., "Physiological Indicators of Pathologic Video Game Use in Adolescence" (2015). Faculty Publications. 4025.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/4025
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2015-3
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6835
Publisher
Journal of Adolescent Health
Language
English
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Family Life
Copyright Status
© 2015 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.
Copyright Use Information
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/