IMPACT OF VIDEO GAMING ON SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Background: A substantial growth in the levels of video gaming among adolescents escalates concerns about one's social connectedness and overall well-being. Though moderate gaming has the potential to promote positive cognitive and social outcomes (Granic et al., 2014), excessive gaming is associated with social isolation and mental illness (Lemmens et al., 2011) like Internet Gaming Disorder (Petry et al., 2014). Objective: This research addresses the existing research gap by examining the relationship between video gaming, social connectedness and adolescent demographics such as age, gender, birth order and family type. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted by obtaining data from 300 adolescents (150 males and 150 females) between the ages of 13 and 18 through standardized tools, including the Social Connectedness Scale-Revised (Lee & Bernard Robbins, 1995) and 7-item Gaming Addiction Scale (Lemmens et al., 2011). Data analysis included regression analysis, Pearson correlation, and independent sample t-tests. Results: Regression analysis revealed that age and social connectedness were significant predictors of gaming activity. Pearson correlation showed a strong negative association between video gaming and social connectedness. Independent sample ‘t’ - test revealed higher involvement of male in video gaming and female in social connectedness.  Birth order and family type, however, had no significant effects. Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of educators, parents mental health professionals and policymakers to establish programs, interventions and regulatory frameworks for the development of social skills and responsible gaming practices among adolescents.