Longitudinal patterns of problematic computer game use among adolescents and adults—a 2‐year panel study
Abstract
Aims: To investigate the longitudinal patterns (stability and change) of problematic computer game use and its interdependencies with psychosocial wellbeing in different age groups. Design: Three‐wave, annual panel study using computer‐assisted telephone surveys. Setting: G ermany. Participants: A total of 112 adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years, 363 younger adults between 19–39 years and 427 adults aged 40 years and older (overall n = 902). Measurements: Problematic game use was measured with the G aming A ddiction S hort S cale (GAS), which covers seven criteria including salience, withdrawal and conflict. Additionally, gaming behaviour and psychosocial wellbeing (social capital and support, life satisfaction and success) were measured in all three panel waves. Findings: The generally low GAS scores were very stable in yearly intervals [average autocorrelation across waves and age groups: r = 0.74, confidence interval (CI) = 0.71, 0.77]. Only nine respondents (1%, CI = 0.5, 1.9) consistently exhibited symptoms of problematic game use across all waves, while no respondent could be classified consistently as being addicted according to the GAS criteria. Changes in problematic gaming were not related consistently to changes in psychosocial wellbeing, although some cross‐lagged effects were statistically significant in younger and older adult groups. Conclusions: Within a 2‐year time‐frame, problematic use of computer games appears to be a less stable behaviour than reported previously and not related systematically to negative changes in the gamers' lives.
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Longitudinal studies on the stability of gaming disorder are limited and have reported inconsistent data, including findings that less than 1% or up to 26% of adolescents with gaming disorder have symptoms that continue to meet diagnostic requirements at 2-year follow-up.
“Longitudinal studies on the stability of gaming disorder are lim ited and have reported inconsistent data 187 , including findings that less than 1% 190 or up to 26% 191 of adolescents with gaming disorder have symptoms that continue to meet diagnostic requirements at 2-year follow-up.”
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- Authors
- Scharkow, M., Festl, R., & Quandt, T.
- Affiliations
- University of Hohenheim (DE)
- University of Münster (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Scharkow, Michael
- Venue
- Addiction
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2014-07-15
- Volume
- 109
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1910-1917
- ISSN
- 0965-2140 (ISSN-L)
- 1360-0443
- OpenAlex
- W1918752883
- Cited by
- 120
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 38.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Addiction (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- European Research Council (240864)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Keywords
- gaming addiction, adolescents, young adults, older adults, longitudinal stability, psychosocial well-being, social capital, life satisfaction, cross-lagged effects
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Female, Germany, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Behavior, Addictive, Video Games, Young Adult
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