Background
Although considerable research suggests that health-risk factors vary as a function
of video-game playing among young people, direct evidence of such linkages among adults
is lacking.
Purpose
The goal of this study was to distinguish adult video-game players from nonplayers
on the basis of personal and environmental factors. It was hypothesized that adults
who play video games, compared to nonplayers, would evidence poorer perceptions of
their health, greater reliance on Internet-facilitated social support, more extensive
media use, and higher BMI. It was further hypothesized that different patterns of
linkages between video-game playing and health-risk factors would emerge by gender.
Methods
A cross-sectional, Internet-based survey was conducted in 2006 with a sample of adults
from the Seattle–Tacoma area (n=562), examining health risks; media use behaviors and perceptions, including those
related to video-game playing; and demographics. Statistical analyses conducted in
2008 to compare video-game players and nonplayers included bivariate descriptive statistics,
stepwise discriminant analysis, and ANOVA.
Results
A total of 45.1% of respondents reported playing video games. Female video-game players
reported greater depression (M=1.57) and poorer health status (M=3.90) than female
nonplayers (depression, M=1.13; health status, M=3.57). Male video-game players reported
higher BMI (M=5.31) and more Internet use time (M=2.55) than male nonplayers (BMI,
M=5.19; Internet use, M=2.36). The only determinant common to female and male video-game
players was greater reliance on the Internet for social support.
Conclusions
A number of determinants distinguished video-game players from nonplayers, and these
factors differed substantially between men and women. The data illustrate the need
for further research among adults to clarify how to use digital opportunities more
effectively to promote health and prevent disease.
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© 2009 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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