Problems with computer games without monetary reward: Similarity to pathological gambling

Publication Type  Journal Article
Year of Publication  2004
Authors  Johansson, A.; Gotestam, K. G.
Journal Title  Psychological Reports
Volume  95
Pagination  641-650
ISBN Number  0033-2941
Accession Number  ISI:000224993500038
Key Words  youth 12-18 years; prevalence
Abstract  

An epidemiological study was performed on a representative sample of the Norwegian youth population (12 to 18 years old, N = 3,237; response rate 45.2%). The percentage who were frequent players (weekly) of different computer games was 63.3%, and the percentage of infrequent users was 36.7%. A mean of 2.7% (4.2% of the boys, 1.1% of the girls) could be described as exhibiting "pathological playing" according to the criteria in the 1998 Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction of Young, and an additional 9.82% (14.5% of the boys, 5.0% of the girls) were considered to be engaging in "at-risk playing." Of the weekly gamblers, 4.2% fulfilled 5 criteria for pathological playing, and an additional 15.5% 3 to 4 criteria, i.e., at-risk playing. This indicated that frequent gaming on computer games without money rewards may be related to problematic playing even though no monetary reward is involved.


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