Strengths and Difficulties & Decision Making Styles in Video Gamers and Non Gamers

Abstract

Kuss and Griffiths in their “Online gaming addiction in children and adolescents: A review of empirical research” state that Cailois (1961) defined play as an innate human drive that begins in very early childhood. According to dictionary.com, video games can be defined as any of the various interactive games played using a specialised electronic gaming device or a computer or mobile device and a television or other display screen, along with a means to control graphic images or any of various games played using a microchip-controlled device, as an arcade machine or handheld toy. This study aims to observe emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer relationship problems and prosocial behaviour along with decision making styles in adolescent boys and girls in the age group of 15-18 years. The sample was further divided on the basis of whether or not they played video games. The sample was administered two questionnaires, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman et al, 1998) which contains items that relate to emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer relationship problems and prosocial behaviour and Decision Making Questionnaire (DMQ) that contains items that relate to an individual’s decision making styles. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 22. No significant difference in the levels of decision making styles and strengths and difficulties was found between adolescent video gamers and non gamers.