A Comparative Study on Gamers and Non-Gamers to Evaluate the Impact of Gaming Addiction on Emotional Intelligence

Abstract

The goal of the current study is to assess how gaming addiction affects emotional intelligence and its components. This study also compares the EQ scores and alterations in behavior of gamers and non-gamers. Because the internet was created to make life simpler and easier and to conveniently access information and knowledge, it has become an integral part of everyone’s everyday existence in the twenty-first century. Although internet gaming is a old concept, its popularity has skyrocketed in India since 2015–2016. Gaming disorder, according to the WHO, manifests as diminished control over gaming, a rise in gaming priority, and continuing gaming despite its negative effects. Sample consisted of 220 male and female teenagers from Sagar, Bhopal, Gwalior, and Indore divisions of Madhya Pradesh. LAL1 was utilized as an online form to measure the emotional intelligence. The mean (SD) score of managing emotions for gamers is 3.06(1.306), whereas for non-gamers it is 3.55(1.247), according to calculations and the use of statistical and paired sample t test methods. The mean SD and t-test score of managing emotions for gamers is 3.06(1.306), whereas for non-gamers it is 3.68(1.204). For gamers, the mean (SD) score for motivating oneself is 2.96 (1.272), while for non-gamers, it is 3.54. (1.272). The mean score of social skills for gamers is 3.05(1.321), while the mean score of empathy for gamers is 2.98(1.308), compared to 3.64(1.183) for non-gamers (1.183). There were significant differences in self-awareness, managing emotions, motivating oneself, empathy, and social skills between gamers and non-gamers, this study found the significant support for hypothesis.