A1 Journal article (refereed)
Problematic Gaming Is Associated with Some Health-Related Behaviors Among Finnish Vocational School Students (2020)

Männikkö, N., Ruotsalainen, H., Tolvanen, A., & Kääriäinen, M. (2020). Problematic Gaming Is Associated with Some Health-Related Behaviors Among Finnish Vocational School Students. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 18(4), 993-1007. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00100-6

JYU authors or editors

Tolvanen, Asko

Publication details

All authors or editors: Männikkö, Niko; Ruotsalainen, Heidi; Tolvanen, Asko; Kääriäinen, Maria

Journal or series: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction

ISSN: 1557-1874

eISSN: 1557-1882

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 18

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 993-1007

Publisher: Springer New York LLC

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00100-6

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/71629

Abstract

The objective of this work was to examine the connections between problematic digital gaming and various health-related behavior characteristics in a population of vocational school students. Data collection was performed (N = 1335) via an online survey in vocational school units in northern Finland. The survey incorporated the Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGD10) as well as self-reported measures including questions on socio-demographics, information on the living arrangements of participants, gaming habits, and health-related behaviors. Eightyfour percent (n = 773) of the respondents (an average age of 17.5 years [SD = 4.4]) played digital games regularly. Male gender, daily game use, having no close friends, self-perceived underweight status and monthly drug use were all significantly and positively associated with problematic gaming scores. Engagement in digital game playing was especially associated with participants who lived with a friend or friends or in a blended family structure engagement. These findings have implications for counselors and researchers working on the health-related behaviors of vocational school students.

Keywords: video games; vocational school students; health; health behaviour

Free keywords: gaming disorder

Fields of science: