Gaming Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Risk Factors and Preventive Approaches

Patrick K. Bender*, El Lim Kim, Douglas A. Gentile

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Gaming disorder can play a role in child and adolescent psychopathology, as research has associated gaming disorder with a range of negative psychosocial outcomes. Since any dysfunctional behavior can have important long-term consequences, approaches to prevent gaming behavior in youth from becoming problematic are clearly called for. In this paper, we discuss some of the risk factors that have been associated with gaming disorder in youth. Recent Findings: Potential risk factors for gaming disorder in youth include attention problems, emotion dysregulation, problematic family relationships, and in-game needs satisfaction at the expense of needs satisfaction in daily life. These factors are related not only to gaming disorders but also to some of the other mental health issues that gaming disorder has been associated with. Summary: Possible prevention strategies could focus on reducing attentional and cognitive issues among youth, which could be implemented in school settings via group training sessions. Approaches targeting emotion regulation skills would also be useful. Early intervention to alleviate poor family functioning could also be considered.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCurrent Addiction Reports
Volume7
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)553-560
Number of pages8
ISSN2196-2952
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020

Keywords

  • Adolescents
  • Children
  • Gaming disorder
  • Prevention
  • Risk factors
  • Video game addiction

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