Lack of Consensus Among Scholars on the Issue of Video Game “Addiction”

Ferguson, C.J. and Colwell J. 2020. Lack of Consensus Among Scholars on the Issue of Video Game “Addiction”. Psychology of Popular Media Culture. 9 (3), pp. 359-366. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000243

Title Lack of Consensus Among Scholars on the Issue of Video Game “Addiction”
TypeJournal article
AuthorsFerguson, C.J.
Colwell J.
Abstract

Whether pathological video game overuse constitutes a distinct mental disorder remains an issue of controversy among scholars. Both empirical data and scholarly opinions differ regarding the status of pathological gaming and whether “addiction” is the best frame by which to understand video game use. The current study sought to examine the status of scholarly opinions in a survey of 214 scholars to examine their opinion of possible behavioral effects of games. Results indicated a variance of opinions. About 60.8% of scholars agreed pathological gaming could be a mental health problem, whereas 30.4% were skeptical. However, only 49.7% believed the DSM criteria for “internet gaming disorder” were valid, with slightly higher numbers, 56.5%, supporting the World Health Organization “gaming disorder” diagnosis. More scholars worried about both the DSM and WHO criteria over-pathologizing normal youth than weren’t worried about this. Scholars were likewise split over whether the DSM/WHO had precipitated moral panics over video games. Belief in pathological gaming was positively predicted by hostile attitudes toward children and negatively by participants’ experience with games. Overall results indicated continued significant disagreements among scholars related to pathological gaming. Claims of consensus are, at this juncture, likely premature

KeywordsVideo game addiction; Pathological gaming; Consensus; Video Games; Addiction
JournalPsychology of Popular Media Culture
Journal citation9 (3), pp. 359-366
ISSN2160-4134
Year2020
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association
Accepted author manuscript
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000243
Publication dates
Published online23 May 2019
Published in print2020
FunderUniversity of Westminster

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