Effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, physiological arousal, and prosocial behavior: a meta-analytic review of the scientific literature

Mental health and behavioral problems associated with video game playing among Brazilian adolescents

BACKGROUND

The problematic use of video games is linked to mental health and behavioral problems among adolescents. World reported averages for problematic use range from 1.3% to 19.3%. This is the first study to investigate these problems among Brazilian adolescents.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of the non-problematic and problematic use of video games among Brazilian adolescents, and to assess mental health and behavioral problems associated with both types of use.

METHODS

This study used the baseline data of a cluster randomized controlled trial that evaluated the effectiveness of the school-based program #Tamojunto2.0. The sample included 3,939 eighth-grade students who answered an anonymous self-report questionnaire. Video game use was investigated through a question, and problematic use was assessed using a scale. Weighted logistic regressions were used to investigate the associated factors.

RESULTS

The results show that 85.85% of the children reported playing video games in the past year, 28.17% fulfilled our criteria for problematic use. Non-problematic video game use is associated with being male, younger ages, and bullying perpetration. Problematic video game use is associated with being male, tobacco and alcohol use, bullying perpetrators, and bullying victims, with abnormal levels of hyperactivity/inattention, social behavior problems, conduct problems, peer relationship problems, and emotional symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Brazilian adolescents' self-reported use of video games is compatible with the world average, but the percentage of those who showed problematic use is higher than the world average. This study demonstrates the need for investigating how to prevent and intervene in this situation.

Online violent video games and online aggressive behavior among Chinese college students: The role of anger rumination and self-control

Online aggressive behavior (OAB) has received increasing attention in recent years, and that playing online violent video games (OVVG) is an important predictor of OAB. However, little is known of the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship. This study aims to investigate (a) the mediating role of anger rumination in the association between OVVG and OAB and (b) the moderating role of self-control in the relationship between anger rumination and OAB. A total of 595 Chinese college students (M age = 19.59 years, SD age = 1.40) completed measurements regarding OVVG, anger rumination, self-control, and OAB. The correlation analyses showed that OVVG was significantly positively associated with anger rumination and OAB. Mediation analyses revealed anger rumination partially mediated the link between OVVG and OAB. Moderated mediation further indicated that anger rumination was not associated with OAB for individuals with high levels of self-control. However, for those with low levels of self-control, anger rumination was significantly associated with OAB. These findings suggest that the improvement of self-control and the decline of anger rumination could be a practicable way to address the issue of OAB effectively.

Commercial Off-The-Shelf Video Games for Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Using commercial off-the-shelf video games rather than custom-made computer games could have several advantages for reducing stress and anxiety, including their low cost, advanced graphics, and the possibility to reach millions of individuals worldwide. However, it is important to emphasize that not all commercial video games are equal, and their effects strongly depend on specific characteristics of the games.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to describe the literature on the use of commercial off-the-shelf video games for diminishing stress and anxiety, examining the research outcomes along with critical variables related to computer game characteristics (ie, genre, platform, time of play).

METHODS

A systematic search of the literature was performed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. The search databases were PsycINFO, Web of Science, Medline, IEEExplore, and the Cochrane Library. The search string was: [("video game*") OR ("computer game*")] AND [("stress") OR ("anxiety") OR ("relaxation")] AND [("study") OR ("trial") OR ("training")].

RESULTS

A total of 28 studies met the inclusion criteria for the publication period 2006-2021. The findings demonstrate the benefit of commercial off-the-shelf video games for reducing stress in children, adults, and older adults. The majority of the retrieved studies recruited young adults, and fewer studies have involved children, middle-aged adults, and older adults. In addition to exergames and casual video games, other genres of commercial off-the-shelf games helped to reduce stress and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Efficacy in reducing stress and anxiety has been demonstrated not only for exergames and casual video games but also for other genres such as action games, action-adventure games, and augmented reality games. Various gaming platforms, including consoles, PCs, smartphones, mobile consoles, and virtual reality systems, have been used with positive results. Finally, even single and short sessions of play had benefits in reducing stress and anxiety.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols INPLASY202130081; https://inplasy.com/?s=INPLASY202130081.

The Playing Brain. The Impact of Video Games on Cognition and Behavior in Pediatric Age at the Time of Lockdown: A Systematic Review

A growing number of children and adolescents play video games (VGs) for long amounts of time. The current outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic has significantly reduced outdoor activities and direct interpersonal relationships. Therefore, a higher use of VGs can become the response to stress and fear of illness. VGs and their practical, academic, vocational and educational implications have become an issue of increasing interest for scholars, parents, teachers, pediatricians and youth public policy makers. The current systematic review aims to identify, in recent literature, the most relevant problems of the complex issue of playing VGs in children and adolescents in order to provide suggestions for the correct management of VG practice. The method used searches through standardized search operators using keywords related to video games and the link with cognition, cognitive control and behaviors adopted during the pandemic. Ninety-nine studies were reviewed and included, whereas twelve studies were excluded because they were educationally irrelevant. Any debate on the effectiveness of VGs cannot refer to a dichotomous approach, according to which VGs are rigidly 'good' or 'bad'. VGs should be approached in terms of complexity and differentiated by multiple dimensions interacting with each other.

The association of polyvictimization with violent ideations in late adolescence and early adulthood: A longitudinal study

Violent ideations are increasingly recognized as an important psychological predictor for aggressive and violent behavior. However, little is known about the processes that contribute to violent ideations. This paper examines the extent to which polyvictimization triggers violent ideations in late adolescence and early adulthood, while also adjusting for dispositional and situational factors as well as prior violent ideations. Data came from three waves of the Zurich Project on the Social Development from Childhood into Adulthood (z-proso; n = 1465). Full-information maximum likelihood Tobit models were fitted to regress violent ideations experienced at ages 17 and 20 on multiple victimization experiences in the preceding 12 months while controlling for antecedent developmental risk factors and prior violent ideations. The results showed that violent ideations in late adolescence and early adulthood are influenced by violent thoughts, aggressive behavior, violent media consumption, moral neutralization of violence, and internalizing symptoms measured 2 years earlier. Experiences of polyvictimization significantly contributed to an increase in violent ideations both during late adolescence and in early adulthood. The exposure-response relationship between victimization and violent ideations did not significantly differ by sex. The findings are consistent with the notion that violent ideations are triggered by a retaliation-linked psychological mechanism that entails playing out other directed imaginary aggressive scenarios specifically in response to experiencing intentional harm-doing by others.

Psychopathy and violent video game playing: Multiple associations in a juvenile justice system involved sample

Violent video game playing is a consistent risk factor for aggression, but research on its psychopathology and trait underpinnings are primarily based on community or university student samples, thus the ecological validity to adjudicated and juvenile justice system-involved youth lacks clarity. This is an important void in the literature because relative to youth in the general population, adjudicated and detained youth evince greater psychopathology, more severe delinquency and violence histories, and clinical psychopathic features. Negative binomial regression models using data from 252 youth in residential placements found that several psychopathic features are significantly associated with violent video gaming. The role of psychopathy operated differently across gender and arrest chronicity, and across models remorselessness emerged as an important correlate. Given the desensitization that can occur with violent video game play, it is of particular concern among delinquent youth with psychopathic personality features.

'Material likely to harm or disturb them': testing the alignment between film and game classification decisions and psychological research evidence

This article analyses the practical operation of Australia's National Classification System (NCS) for films and games, to evaluate its alignment with the findings of psychological research. Twenty-nine decisions of the Classification Review Board are examined to determine the factors applied in assessing the impact of violent content and drawing the line between the different classification categories. The language used in referring to violent content is analysed to determine the concepts that influence the Board's view about the correct classification. These concepts are then tested against the research evidence on the depictions of violence that create the greatest risk of adverse outcomes for viewers and players. Not all of the concepts used in classification have a basis in the research evidence, and some are directly at odds with that evidence. The article concludes by recommending changes to the rules that could lead to better alignment between classification decisions and the research evidence.

The Influence of Action Video Gaming Experience on the Perception of Emotional Faces and Emotional Word Meaning

Action video gaming (AVG) experience has been found related to sensorimotor and attentional development. However, the influence of AVG experience on the development of emotional perception skills is still unclear. Using behavioral and ERP measures, this study examined the relationship between AVG experience and the ability to decode emotional faces and emotional word meanings. AVG experts and amateurs completed an emotional word-face Stroop task prior to (the pregaming phase) and after (the postgaming phase) a 1 h AVG session. Within-group comparisons showed that after the 1 h AVG session, a more negative N400 was observed in both groups of participants, and a more negative N170 was observed in the experts. Between-group comparisons showed that the experts had a greater change of N170 and N400 amplitudes across phases than the amateurs. The results suggest that both the 1 h and long-term AVG experiences may be related to an increased difficulty of emotional perception. Furthermore, certain behavioral and ERP measures showed neither within- nor between-group differences, suggesting that the relationship between AVG experience and emotional perception skills still needs further research.

Bedtime media use and sleep: evidence for bidirectional effects and associations with attention control in adolescents

OBJECTIVE/DESIGN

Bedtime media use has been associated with poor sleep and attention difficulties among adolescents, but much of this research has been cross-sectional, limiting current understanding of directionality of effects. This 2-wave prospective study tested bidirectional effects between bedtime media use and sleep measures, including time in bed, sleep onset latency, and daytime sleepiness, and further examined whether bedtime media use and sleep variables were related to attention control difficulties.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

Data were collected from 345 middle-schoolers (ages 12-14, 47% female) at baseline (T1) and at 6-month follow-up (T2).

MEASUREMENTS

Students self-reported their access to media devices and internet in their bedroom, bedtime media use, sleep, and attention control. Data were analyzed using cross-lagged panel modeling.

RESULTS

Greater bedtime media use (at T1) was associated with less time in bed and longer sleep onset latency at T2, controlling for T1 levels of these variables. In the case of sleep effects on bedtime media use, greater daytime sleepiness and less time in bed (at T1) were associated with greater bedtime media use at T2, controlling for T1 levels. Further, greater daytime sleepiness (at T2, controlling for T1 levels) was associated with greater attention control difficulties at T2.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings provide evidence for some reciprocal relations between bedtime media use and poor sleep in adolescents. Furthermore, higher daytime sleepiness was linked to greater attention control difficulties.

Identifying electronic-sport athletes' sleep-wake cycle characteristics

Organized electronic-sport competitions (e-Sport) is related to several health problems, including sleep disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of the sleep-wake cycle of League of Legends (LoL) athletes during their pre-training, training, pre-competition, and competition routines. Twenty male elite LoL players completed the questionnaires related to sleep pattern (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), and chronotype (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire), and they wore an actigraph for 7 days. Pre-training and pre-competition assessments were carried out by questionnaires (n = 20) and training and competition assessments by actigraph (n = 16). The chronotype that most Eathletes presented was a moderately evening type. They presented a poor sleep quality and were borderline for excessive daytime sleepiness. Sleep onset and offset times were significantly prolonged during the competition condition (t = 2.11, p < .05; t = 2.51, p < .05). Correlations showed a relationship between PSQI and Sleepiness in the pre-training and pre-competition conditions (r = 0.50, p = .02) and chronotype with sleep onset (r = 0.61, p = .01), total sleep time (r = 0.55, p = .02), and time awake (r = 0.49, p = .04) in the competition condition. Linear regression analysis indicated associations between the PSQI and sleepiness (25%; p = .02) during pre-training and pre-competition. During the competition there were associations between chronotype and sleep onset (37%; p = .01), chronotype and time awake (24%; p = .04), and chronotype and TST (30%; p = .02). In general, the findings support the conclusion that LoL athletes presented an altered sleep pattern during their training routines.

The role of health promotion theories in Stroke Awareness and Education

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of health promotion theories and their application to Stroke Awareness and Education. Stroke stands as one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity even though treatment is readily available. One of the major challenges in this area is that the effectiveness of treatment depends heavily on timely presentation to healthcare services. Unfortunately, many individuals do not seek help whilst experiencing symptoms or only do so after a significant delay. This paper explores the main health promotion theories related to this problematic health behaviour in relation to stroke.

Impact of pre-sleep habits on adolescent sleep: an Italian population-based study

OBJECTIVE

Several evidences demonstrate that pre-sleep habits may negatively impact adolescent sleep, yet few data exist on Italian population. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pre-sleep habits, use of technology/activity and sleep in Italian adolescents.

METHODS

Self-report questionnaires including Italian version of School Sleep Habits Survey and use of technology/activity (eg smartphone, PC) at bedtime were administered to 972 adolescents (13-19 years) from Lombardia. We stratified the sample in five groups according to the age: Group I (13-14 years), Group II (15 years), Group III (16 years), Group IV (17 years), Group V (18-19 years).

RESULTS

Our descriptive analysis reveals a different sleep profile across age-groups: Group III showed highest percentage of bad sleep (26.7%) and frequent nocturnal awakenings (24.1%), Group V had the highest percentage of insufficient sleep (40,4%) and difficulty falling asleep (42.7%) and Group IV presented an elevated difficulty in waking up in the morning (70.1%). A significant negative correlation was found in total group between use of smartphone, internet and studying/doing homework and total sleep time. The use of smartphone, internet videogames, listening to music and studying/doing homework was positively associated with delayed bedtime.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the great impact of pre-sleep habits, and in particular the use of technology on adolescent sleep. Our results demonstrate that sleep is strongly altered among Italian adolescents using electronic devices in evening. The type of technology may be related to specific sleep profile, emphasizing the importance of stratification analyses to identify associated factors to sleep problems.

The interplay of parenting style and family rules about video games on subsequent fighting behavior

Due to ongoing concerns about adolescent interpersonal aggression and debates surrounding violent media, this study assesses the potential impacts of parental mediation and parenting style on mature video game play and fighting behaviors using a longitudinal, random-digit-dial survey of adolescents (N = 2722). By simultaneously considering fighting, M-rated video game play, parental restrictions on media use, parenting style, and important covariates, we aim to provide further nuance to existing work on risk and protective factors for interpersonal aggression. Our results show that parental restriction has a significant, linear relationship with later fighting, whereby higher restrictions on a child's M-rated video game play predict decreases in reported fighting behavior. Authoritative parenting, high in both warmth and supervisory attention, also relates to decreased levels of fighting compared to other styles. Parenting style also moderated the effects of restriction, such that restriction was not equally predictive of fighting behavior across all parenting styles. However, the association between restriction and fighting was similar for highly demanding parenting styles, suggesting that authoritative parenting is not inherently superior to authoritarian. The effects of restriction were significant despite controlling for multiple covariates. Parental restriction of media use may be an effective strategy for parents concerned about violent games. Given some limitations in our dataset, we call for continued study in this area.

The Interaction of Extremist Propaganda and Anger as Predictors of Violent Responses

In this study, and with a view to extending upon existing findings on the effects of general violent media on violent cognitions, we experimentally measured the relationship between exposure to extremist propaganda and violent cognitions. Our results countered our hypotheses and the wider findings of violent media and aggression that exposure to violent stimuli increases violent thoughts and that this effect is moderated by trait aggression. Specifically, this study found that participants with low and medium trait aggression became more pro-social after being exposed to extremist propaganda. We discuss these results with reference to theories of terror management and mortality salience, as well as the implications of these results for wider theories of the role of online extremist material in the wider "radicalization" process.

Insomnia Status of Middle School Students in Indonesia and Its Association with Playing Games before Sleep: Gender Difference

The excessive use of online gaming before sleep in adolescents could be a risk factor of sleep disorders such as insomnia. This study aimed to assess the association between playing online games before sleep and insomnia based on gender perspective among middle school students in Indonesia. This was a retrospective study and the data came from a cross-sectional survey that included 315 of Grade 8 and 9 students from four middle schools in Jakarta, Indonesia. Self-reported data were collected via a structured questionnaire, which consisted of demographic variables, sleep duration per day, frequency of playing online games before sleep and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Insomnia status was classified into "none or mild" and "moderate to severe" according to ISI score. The proportions of male and female students who often or always played online games before sleep were 50.3% and 21.7%, respectively. Grade 9 students were more likely to have moderate to severe insomnia than Grade 8 students for males (odds ratio-OR = 4.34, p = 0.005) but not for females (OR = 0.69, p = 0.363). However, female students who often or always played online games before sleep were more likely to have moderate to severe insomnia (OR = 4.60, p = 0.001); such an association was relatively smaller for male students (OR = 3.09, p = 0.061). Gender differences should be taken into account when developing health education or interventions.

Violent Video Games and Aggression Among Young Adults: The Moderating Effects of Adverse Environmental Factors

Research is divided on the effects of violent video games (VVGs). Some scholars claimed that VVG promotes aggression, reduces empathy, increases self-injury, and externalization, whereas others claim that a minimal or, in some cases, no traits as reported by the former is associated with playing VVGs. This study provides evidence to support claims that VVG is associated with aggressive behavior among young adults. However, the study focused more importantly on the moderating effects of adverse environmental factors on this relationship from a cross-cultural perspective. A total of 3,219 young adults between 18 and 35 years sampled from colleges and game centers in Ghana and China provided support for this study. We adopted a parallel moderated-mediation regression analysis and found that increased exposure to VVG is associated with reduced empathy concerns, aggression-related thoughts, and increased aggressive behavior. Although controlling for gender, setting, and location, the results pointed to the magnifying effects of the adverse environments in explaining the association between VVG and aggressive behavior. This study thus provides strong support for the frequently debated adverse effects of playing VVG among young adults with a particular reference to environmental factors and will hence aid in communicating a more representative viewpoint on the effects of VVG.

Violent Video Games and the P300: No Evidence to Support the Neural Desensitization Hypothesis

It has been proposed that exposure to violent video games (VVGs) resulted in alterations of social behaviors such as increased aggression. The most damaging reported effect of playing VVGs is neural desensitization to violent stimuli and this is a major concern given the reported number of players and time spent playing major video game titles. The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of neural desensitization that was reported at the P300 component of event-related potentials (ERPs) in response to violent stimuli. Eighty-seven participants were recruited and placed into one of two conditions based on their video gaming behavior (violent games players and nonplayers). ERPs were recorded from participants who passively viewed violent and neutral images selected from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS). The participants then played a VVG, postplaying ERPs were recorded while viewing the neutral and violent IAPS images. The mean amplitudes of the P300 were analyzed with respect to condition, time, and content. There was a significant effect of image but not of VVG player and nonplayer. The results were interpreted as evidence against the neural desensitization hypothesis. The findings of this study are consistent with imaging research and the implications for the reported negative effects of playing VVGs are discussed.

Who Commands the Little Soldiers?

Abstract. The popularity of miniature wargames (MWGs) has recently been on the rise. We aimed to identify the personality characteristics of people who play MWGs. Whereas the popular media have suspected that fantasy role-playing and war-related games cause antisocial behavior, past research on tabletop role-playing has shown that gamers are creative and empathetic individuals. Previous studies have investigated pen-and-paper tabletop games, which require imagination and cooperation between players. Tabletop MWGs are somewhat different because players compete against each other, and there is a strong focus on war-related actions. Thus, people have voiced the suspicion that players of this type of game may be rather aggressive. In the present study, 250 male MWG players completed questionnaires on the Big Five, authoritarianism, risk-orientation, and motives as well as an intelligence test. The same measures were administered to non-gamers, tabletop role-playing gamers, and first-person shooter gamers. Results indicated that according to self-reports, MWG players are more open, more extraverted, and have a higher need for affiliation than non-gamers. Further, high scores on reasoning and low scores on authoritarianism were typical of MWG players, and MWG players were similar to other gamers on these characteristics. All in all, our findings show that despite their penchant for (re)-enacting war scenes, MWG players seem to be open, nonauthoritarian individuals. Future research may add to these findings by using observer reports and longitudinal research to better understand whether intelligent and nontraditional people are attracted to MWGs or whether the setting of MWGs supports the development of such traits.

Effects of violent video games on players' and observers' aggressive cognitions and aggressive behaviors

Although previous research has shown that exposure to violent video games is related to aggression, little is known about the relationship between the player's perspective (player vs. observer) and aggression. In this experimental study, we tested the short-term effects of actively playing versus passively observing the same type of video games on aggressive cognitions and aggressive behaviors. A total of 192 12-year-old children (50% girls) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: (a) violent game player (active violent players), (b) violent game observer (passive violent observers), (c) neutral game player (active neutral players), or (d) neutral game observer (passive neutral observers). After either playing or observing the designated games, each participant completed a lexical decision task and a competitive reaction time task to measure their aggressive cognitions and behaviors. Results showed that players displayed more aggressive cognitions and behaviors than observers. Boys displayed more aggressive cognitions and behaviors than girls, but this trend was observed only in the violent game play condition. Mediational analysis suggested that aggressive cognitions partially mediated the effect of violent video games on aggressive behaviors.

How to Be Aggressive from Virtual to Reality? Revisiting the Violent Video Games Exposure-Aggression Association and the Mediating Mechanisms

Few studies have simultaneously examined the underlying mechanisms of the link between violent video games exposure (VVGE) and aggression (as proposed by different theories) to examine how they explain the relationship between the concepts as independent-dependent variables. This study used a multi-informant design to examine the relationship between VVGE and the functions (proactive and reactive) of aggressive behaviors by comparing three mediating mechanisms: anger, moral disengagement, and cognitive impulsivity. The sample consisted of 2,095 Chinese children and adolescences (48.9 percent girls; M_age = 11.12 years, SD = 1.70) and their mothers. After controlling for age, gender, socioeconomic status, child maltreatment, and problematic traits, structural equation modeling indicated that anger and moral disengagement play mediating roles between VVGE and proactive and reactive aggression, but cognitive impulsivity only plays a mediating role between VVGE and reactive aggression. The discussion emphasizes the importance of creating prevention programs for anger, moral disengagement, and cognitive impulsivity to break the VVGE-to-aggression cycle, and provides suggestions for future research.

Wielding a gun increases judgments of others as holding guns: a randomized controlled trial

The gun embodiment effect is the consequence caused by wielding a gun on judgments of whether others are also holding a gun. This effect could be responsible for real-world instances when police officers shoot an unarmed person because of the misperception that the person had a gun. The gun embodiment effect is an instance of embodied cognition for which a person’s tool-augmented body affects their judgments. The replication crisis in psychology has raised concern about embodied cognition effects in particular, and the issue of low statistical power applies to the original research on the gun embodiment effect. Thus, the first step was to conduct a high-powered replication. We found a significant gun embodiment effect in participants’ reaction times and in their proportion of correct responses, but not in signal detection measures of bias, as had been originally reported. To help prevent the gun embodiment effect from leading to fatal encounters, it would be useful to know whether individuals with certain traits are less prone to the effect and whether certain kinds of experiences help alleviate the effect. With the new and reliable measure of the gun embodiment effect, we tested for moderation by individual differences related to prior gun experience, attitudes, personality, and factors related to emotion regulation and impulsivity. Despite the variety of these measures, there was little evidence for moderation. The results were more consistent with the idea of the gun embodiment effect being a universal, fixed effect, than being a flexible, malleable effect.

The effects of video racing games on risk-taking in consideration of the game experience

In the present study, we attempted to investigate whether it is the game experience that underlies processes leading to increased risk-taking while playing video racing games (VRGs). The aim of the study was to examine the indirect effect of playing VRGs on risky driving behaviour through various dimensions of the game experience. Thus, we examined the subjective experience of participants playing various VRGs and questioned whether this influenced subsequent driving behaviour. The results of the present study show that aspects of the playing experience, in particular “flow” and “competence”, appear to be important in the regulation of risk appetite. It can be assumed that, rather than the mere playing of VRGs, the type of game experience during play is determinant for subsequent risk propensity while driving.

Violence in video game produces a lower activation of limbic and temporal areas in response to social inclusion images

Exposure to violence in video games has been associated with a desensitization toward violent content, a decrease of empathy, and prosocial behavior. Moreover, violent video games seem to be related to a reduction of neural activation in the circuits linked to social emotional processing. The purpose of the present study was to compare the neural response to social inclusion images after violent and nonviolent video game playing. Electroencephalographic data of the 32 participants were recorded during a visual task with three presentations (T0, T1, T2) of 60 stimuli (30 social inclusion vs. 30 neutral images). After the T0 presentation, the participants played with a video game (orientation or violent). After the T1 presentation, the participants played with the other video game (orientation or violent). The two types of video games were randomly displayed. Event-related potential (ERP) components and low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) were analyzed. The main findings showed a longer latency of the P2 component on occipito-temporal montage and a lower activation of the limbic and temporal areas in response to the social inclusion images post violent video game compared with the post orientation video game. The findings suggest a reduction of emotional engagement in social processing after playing violent video game.

Reexamining the Findings of the American Psychological Association's 2015 Task Force on Violent Media: A Meta-Analysis

In 2015, the American Psychological Association (APA) released a task-force technical report on video-game violence with a concurrent resolution statement linking violent games to aggression but not violent crime. The task-force report has proven to be controversial; many scholars have criticized language implying conclusive evidence linking violent games to aggression as well as technical concerns regarding the meta-analysis that formed the basis of the technical report and resolution statement. In the current article, we attempt a reevaluation of the 2015 technical report meta-analysis. The intent of this reevaluation was to examine whether the data foundations behind the APA's resolution on video-game violence were sound. Reproducing the original meta-analysis proved difficult because some studies were included that did not appear to have relevant data, and many other available studies were not included. The current analysis revealed negligible relationships between violent games and aggressive or prosocial behavior, small relationships with aggressive affect and cognitions, and stronger relationships with desensitization. However, effect sizes appeared to be elevated because of non-best-practices and researcher-expectancy effects, particularly for experimental studies. It is concluded that evidence warrants a more cautious interpretation of the effects of violent games on aggression than provided by the APA technical report or resolution statement.

The Impact of Social Value Orientation, Game Context and Trust on Cooperative Behavior After Cooperative Video Game Play

This study explores the effects of the cooperative video game context, social value orientation (SVO) and trust on cooperative behavior. The main finding is that collaborative game play significantly increases cooperative behavior, especially in prosocial individuals. In addition, a mediation model is established in which trust partially mediates the association between the game mode and cooperative behavior. The results indicate that playing collaborative games increases cooperation in prosocial people partially by facilitating the trust they have in their gaming partners. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Digital Game Interventions for Youth Mental Health Services (Gaming My Way to Recovery): Protocol for a Scoping Review

Background

Digital or video games are played by millions of adolescents and young adults around the world and are one of the technologies used by youths to access mental health services. Youths with mental health problems strongly endorse the use of technologies, including mobile and online platforms, to receive information, support their treatment journeys (eg, decision-making tools), and facilitate recovery. A growing body of literature explores the advantages of playing digital games for improving attention span and memory, managing emotions, promoting behavior change, and supporting treatment for mental illness (eg, anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder). The research field has also focused on the negative impact of video games, describing potential harms related to aggression, addiction, and depression. To promote clarity on this matter, there is a great need for knowledge synthesis offering recommendations on how video games can be safely and effectively adopted and integrated into youth mental health services.

Objective

The Gaming My Way to Recovery scoping review project assesses existing evidence on the use of digital game interventions within the context of mental health services for youths (aged 11-29 years) using the stepped care model as the conceptual framework. The research question is as follows: For which youth mental health conditions have digital games been used and what broad objectives (eg, prevention, treatment) have they addressed?

Methods

Using the methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, this scoping review will map the available evidence on the use of digital games for youths between 11 and 29 years old with mental health or substance use problems, or both.

Results

The review will bring together evidence-based knowledge to assist mental health providers and policymakers in evaluating the potential benefits and risks of these interventions. Following funding of the project in September 2018, we completed the search in November 2018, and carried out data screening and stakeholder engagement activities during preparation of the protocol. We will conduct a knowledge synthesis based on specific disorders, treatment level and modality, type of service, population, settings, ethical practices, and user engagement and offer recommendations concerning the integration of video game technologies and programs, future research and practice, and knowledge dissemination.

Conclusions

Digital game interventions employ unique, experiential, and interactive features that potentially improve skills and facilitate learning among players. Digital games may also provide a new treatment platform for youths with mental health conditions. Assessing current knowledge on video game technology and interventions may potentially improve the range of interventions offered by youth mental health services while supporting prevention, intervention, and treatment.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/13834

When and How Video Games Can Be Good: A Review of the Positive Effects of Video Games on Well-Being

Video games are a source of entertainment for a wide population and have varied effects on well-being. The purpose of this article is to comprehensively examine game-play research to identify the factors that contribute to these disparate well-being outcomes and to highlight the potential positive effects. On the basis of existing literature, we argue that the effects of gaming on well-being are moderated by other variables, such as motivations for gaming and video-game characteristics. Specifically, the inclusion of social activity can benefit prosocial behaviors and affect the relationship between violent video games and aggression that some studies have demonstrated. Moreover, the research on the relationship between violent video games and aggression depends greatly on individual and sociocontextual variables outside of game play. The inclusion of physical activity in games can provide an improvement in physical health with high levels of enjoyment, potentially increasing adherence rates. Overall, following our review, we determined that the effects of gaming on well-being are moderated by and depend on the motivation for gaming, outside variables, the presence of violence, social interaction, and physical activity. Thus, we argue that there is potential for an "optimal gaming profile" that can be used in the future for both academic- and industry-related research.

“Brutal Kill!” Violent video games as a predictor of aggression

Abstract In recent years, many international studies have investigated the relationship between violent games and violence, aggressiveness and delinquent behavior, but there are scarce studies in Brazil on the subject. The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between dispositional behavior and antisocial behavior correlated with the playing of violent content video games. A total of 249 high school students participated in the study, of which 154 were women and 95 were men, aged 13-20 years (M = 15.4, DP = 1.12), who responded the following scales: Big Five Inventory, Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire, Antisocial and Criminal Behaviors Questionnaire and a new Scale of Video Games Violence. The regressions performed indicated that the violent games, antisocial behavior, anger and sex were predictors for physical aggression. In conclusion, the study confirms the hypothesis of the General Aggression Model on human aggression in which violent games are associated with aggressive behavior.

The Role of Screen Time and Screen Activity in the Nonverbal Reasoning of 5-Year-Olds: Cross-Sectional Findings from a Large Birth Cohort Study

Family and home environment factors have been outlined in previous literature as important variables that affect early reasoning development. However, little research has focused on the association between screen use in the home environment and nonverbal reasoning ability. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to examine the role of both screen time and various screen activities (e.g., television, video, or educational games) in nonverbal reasoning ability in 9,001 5-year-old children using a large birth cohort study (Growing Up in Ireland). Interviews conducted with parents related to the children's screen use and various family factors, while reasoning ability was measured using a standardized task (Picture Similarities Task, British Ability Scales II). A hierarchical multiple regression examined the role of screen use in nonverbal reasoning, while also statistically controlling for family factors such as parental education and employment status. Screen use variables made a significant contribution to the regression model, even after family factors were accounted for, although the effect sizes were very small. Playing educational games, video games, or engaging in over three hours screen use per day were all significant predictors of nonverbal reasoning scores in the final adjusted model. The results of this study suggest that screen use may play a small role in the development of nonverbal reasoning in young children. The findings highlight the need for further studies in this area and may have implications for current debates in screen time research.

Commercial video games and cognitive functions: video game genres and modulating factors of cognitive enhancement

Background

Unlike the emphasis on negative results of video games such as the impulsive engagement in video games, cognitive training studies in individuals with cognitive deficits showed that characteristics of video game elements were helpful to train cognitive functions. Thus, this study aimed to have a more balanced view toward the video game playing by reviewing genres of commercial video games and the association of video games with cognitive functions and modulating factors. Literatures were searched with search terms (e.g. genres of video games, cognitive training) on database and Google scholar.

Results

video games, of which purpose is players’ entertainment, were found to be positively associated with cognitive functions (e.g. attention, problem solving skills) despite some discrepancy between studies. However, the enhancement of cognitive functions through video gaming was limited to the task or performance requiring the same cognitive functions. Moreover, as several factors (e.g. age, gender) were identified to modulate cognitive enhancement, the individual difference in the association between video game playing and cognitive function was found.

Conclusion

Commercial video games are suggested to have the potential for cognitive function enhancement. As understanding the association between video gaming and cognitive function in a more balanced view is essential to evaluate the potential outcomes of commercial video games that more people reported to engage, this review contributes to provide more objective evidence for commercial video gaming.

Does the Interplay of Callous-Unemotional Traits and Moral Disengagement Underpin Disruptive Behavior? A Systematic Review

Disruptive behavior could represent an (un)moral behavioral component of multi-dimensional construct of morality that includes affective and cognitive aspects. Thus, it is pivotal to investigate their interplay between affective and cognitive processes the better to understand how to intervene to contrast disruptive behavior and its antisocial outcomes. The present review has examined the relationship between affective and cognitive processes implied in moral functioning by focusing on callous-unemotional traits (CU) and moral disengagement. Starting from 1005 records identified by PsycINFO, Pubmed, and Pubpsych, only 13 studies have been selected. These studies show different theoretical approaches and methodologies and put in evidence the nuances of possible interactions of CU and moral disengagement during adolescence based on different research field. Overall, most of the scholars seem to conclude that different interplay can be plausible, suggesting that it is likely that during the adolescence the influence of moral disengagement and CU is reciprocal and longitudinal. Specifically, in adolescents with Disruptive Behavior Disorders CU and moral disengagement can move together in organizing and becoming chronic of antisocial affective-cognitive system, and in particular moral disengagement may give a free way to engage in disruptive behavior.

Violence Depicted in Superhero-Based Films Stratified by Protagonist/Antagonist and Gender

The objective of this study was to describe and quantify acts of violence depicted in a select number of superhero-based films, further stratified by protagonist/antagonist characters and gender. A total of 10 superhero-based films released in 2015-2016 were analyzed by five independent reviewers. The average number of acts of violence associated with protagonist and antagonist characters for all included films was 22.7 and 17.5 mean events per hour, respectively (p=0.019). The average number of acts of violence associated with male and female characters for all included films was 33.4 and 6.5 mean events per hour, respectively (p<0.001). The most common acts of violence for all major characters were “fighting”, “use of a lethal weapon”, “bullying/intimidation/torture”, “destruction of property”, and “murder” (14.9, 11.4, 3.5, 3.4, and 2.4 mean events per hour, respectively). Based on our sample of superhero-based films, acts of violence were associated more with protagonist characters and male characters.

Structural brain changes in young males addicted to video-gaming

Excessive video gaming has a number of psychological and social consequences. In this study, we looked at possible changes in gray and white matter and asked whether these changes are correlated to psychological measures. Twentynine players of violent videogames (mean daily playing time 4.7 h) and age matched controls were subjected to a battery of questionnaires assessing aggression, empathy, hostility, internet addiction and psychological well-being. Diffusion tensor and 3D T1-weighted MR images were obtained to examine gray (via voxel-based morphometry) and white (via tract-based spatial statistics) matter changes. Widespread regions of decreased gray matter in the players were found but no region showed increased intensity of gray matter. Density of gray matter showed a negative correlation with the total length of playing in years in the right posterior cingulate gyrus, left pre- and postcentral gyrus, right thalamus, among others. Furthermore, fractional anisotropy, a marker for white matter structure, was decreased in the left and right cingulum in the players. Both, gray and white matter changes correlated with measures of aggression, hostility, self esteem, and the degree of internet addiction. This study thus shows profound changes of brain structure as a function of excessive playing of violent video games.

Personality traits and negative affect mediate the relationship between cortical thickness of superior frontal cortex and aggressive behavior

Aggression reflects the psychological and physical behavior that perpetrator intends to harm victim. Initiation of aggression is influenced by the distal factors (e.g. personality) and proximate causes (e.g. affect) of perpetrator. However, few studies explored the brain structural basis of relationship between these traits and aggressive behavior. In this study, we first explored the association between cortical thickness and aggression in a large young adult sample from the Human Connectome Project. Results found aggressive behavior assessed by the Adult Self-Report was positively correlated with cortical thickness in left superior frontal gyrus (SFG), which was implicated in emotion regulation and executive function. Then, mediation analyses with distal and proximate factors separately showcased that the association between the left SFG thickness and aggressive behavior was partially mediated by negative affect (anger and sadness), and fully mediated by personality traits (agreeableness and neuroticism). Taken together, these experimental findings established dorsal prefrontal cortex as the key region in generating aggressive behavior, and gave a neutral explanation for why individuals with high negative affect and neuroticism exhibit more aggression. This study implicated the possible targeted brain region and behavioral intervention for such at-risk individuals initiating violence.

Choosing and enjoying violence in narratives

We use an interactive story design in which participants read short stories and make two consecutive plot choices about whether protagonists commit low- or high-violence actions. Our study has four main findings. 1) People who choose high violence report greater satisfaction with the story, while those switching to or staying with no violence show lower satisfaction. 2) However, when participants encounter these stories without choices, they reliably rate higher-violence stories as less satisfying than lower-violence stories. 3) Regret seems to account for the low satisfaction of those who choose or switch to low violence. 4) There is a large segment of people (up to 66%) who can be persuaded by different story contexts (genre, perspective) to choose extreme violence in interactive fiction and as a consequence of their choice feel satisfaction. We hypothesize that people who opt for high violence enjoy the story as a result of their choice. Overall, we suggest that choosing violence serves as a gateway for enjoyment by creating an aesthetic zone of control detached from morality.

The mediating effect of Internet gaming disorder's symptoms on loneliness and aggression among undergraduate students and working adults in Malaysia

Insufficient attention has been given to the integration of the mediating effect of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) symptoms on loneliness and four components of aggression-physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility-in the Malaysian context. In the present study, 410 participants with (a) at least 1 year of Internet gaming experience and (b) between ages 20- to 39 years were recruited using the probability proportional to size sampling method. Participants were undergraduate students and working adults. Self-reported questionnaires (the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, and the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire) were used. The present study found that loneliness positively predicted four components of aggression (i.e., anger, hostility, physical aggression, and verbal aggression) and symptoms of IGD. Relationships between loneliness and the four components of aggression were partially mediated by IGD symptoms. The present study enriches and consolidates existing empirical evidence, particularly in the Malaysian context. If the mediating effect is not emphasized, it may lead to spurious conclusions that can significantly diminish the effectiveness of interventions that are meant to manage aggression.

Violent video games exposure and aggression: The role of moral disengagement, anger, hostility, and disinhibition

Based on the General Aggression Model (GAM), the current study investigated the interactive effect of personal factors (e.g., sensation-seeking) and situational factors (e.g., violent video games exposure [VVGE]) on the trait aggressive behavior, and the mediating role of individual difference trait (e.g., moral disengagement, anger, and hostility). We recruited 547 undergraduates (48.45% male) from five Chinese universities. The results showed that VVGE was positively associated with moral disengagement, disinhibition, and the four aggressive traits (physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility), which were positively associated with each other. Moral disengagement was positively associated with both the disinhibition and the four aggressive traits. Disinhibition was positively associated with the four aggressive traits as well. When controlled for gender, moral disengagement, anger, and hostility wholly mediated the relationship between VVGE and aggression, but the moderation effect of disinhibition was not significant. These findings support the framework of GAM and indicate that moral disengagement, anger, and hostility may be the factors that increase the risk of a higher level of aggression following repeated exposure to violent video games.