Mobile gaming and problematic smartphone use: a comparative study between Belgium and Finland

Lopez-Fernandez, O. ORCID: 0000-0002-4294-9156, Männikkö, N., Kääriäinen, M., Griffiths, M.D. ORCID: 0000-0001-8880-6524 and Kuss, D.J. ORCID: 0000-0001-8917-782X, 2018. Mobile gaming and problematic smartphone use: a comparative study between Belgium and Finland. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 7 (1), pp. 88-99. ISSN 2062-5871

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Abstract

Background and aims: Gaming applications have become one of the main entertainment features on smartphones, and this could be potentially problematic in terms of dangerous, prohibited, and dependent use among a minority of individuals. A cross-national study was conducted in Belgium and Finland. The aim was to examine the relationship between gaming on smartphones and self-perceived problematic smartphone use via an online survey to ascertain potential predictors.

Methods: The Short Version of the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Questionnaire (PMPUQ-SV) was administered to a sample comprising 899 participants (30% male; age range: 18–67 years).

Results: Good validity and adequate reliability were confirmed regarding the PMPUQ-SV, especially the dependence subscale, but low prevalence rates were reported in both countries using the scale. Regression analysis showed that downloading, using Facebook, and being stressed contributed to problematic smartphone use. Anxiety emerged as predictor for dependence. Mobile games were used by one-third of the respective populations, but their use did not predict problematic smartphone use. Very few cross-cultural differences were found in relation to gaming through smartphones.

Conclusion: Findings suggest mobile gaming does not appear to be problematic in Belgium and Finland.

Item Type: Journal article
Publication Title: Journal of Behavioral Addictions
Creators: Lopez-Fernandez, O., Männikkö, N., Kääriäinen, M., Griffiths, M.D. and Kuss, D.J.
Publisher: Akadémiai Kiadó
Date: 2018
Volume: 7
Number: 1
ISSN: 2062-5871
Identifiers:
NumberType
10.1556/2006.6.2017.080DOI
Divisions: Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by: Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added: 15 Jan 2018 14:03
Last Modified: 31 May 2018 11:05
URI: https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/32418

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