Keywords

Video games; Co-play; Mediation; Adolescents; Gender; Prosocial; Computer games

Abstract

Purpose: Video game use has been associated with several behavioral and health outcomes for adolescents. The aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between parental co-play of video games and behavioral and family outcomes.

Method: Participants consisted of 287 adolescents and their parents who completed a number of video game-, behavioral-, and family-related questionnaires as part of a wider study. Most constructs included child, mother, and father reports.

Results: At the bivariate level, time spent playing video games was associated with several negative outcomes, including heightened internalizing and aggressive behavior and lowered prosocial behavior. However, co-playing video games with parents was associated with decreased levels of internalizing and aggressive behaviors, and heightened prosocial behavior for girls only. Co-playing video games was also marginally related to parent– child connectedness for girls, even after controlling for age-inappropriate games played with parents.

Conclusions: This is the first study to show positive associations for co-playing video games between girls and their parents.

Original Publication Citation

Coyne, S. M., Padilla-Walker, L. M., *Stockdale, L., & Day, R. D. (2011). Game On… Girls: Associations Between Co-playing Video Games and Adolescent Behavioral and Family Outcomes . Journal of Adolescent Health, 49, 160-165.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2011-02-03

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7734

Publisher

Journal of Adolescent Health

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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