Online Videogames Use and Anxiety in Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Videogames use has constantly increased among children and adolescents, with uncertain consequences on their health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of videogames use and addiction in a sample of Italian children during the COVID-19 pandemic and their association with anxiety symptoms. One hundred and sixty-two children (M/F:78/84; age range: 8–10 years; average age 9.4 ± 0.7 years) completed the Videogame Addiction Scale for Children (VASC), the Test of Anxiety and Depression (TAD) and the Children’s Anxiety Meter—State (CAM-S). Demographic variables and data on the access to electronic tools and games preferences were also collected. Overall, 96.3% of the study participants stated to have access to one or more device. They reported a low risk of videogame addiction (VASC score (mean ± SD): 46.7 ± 15.4), a moderate level of trait anxiety (TAD score (mean ± SD): 135 ± 16.8) and a low state anxiety (CAM-S score (mean ± SD): 2.2 ± 2.1). Males reported to spend more time on videogames, to perceive higher self-control and to be more influenced by reinforcement mechanisms; females described higher levels of trait anxiety. In the regression analysis, state anxiety was a predictor of videogame use and addiction (p = 0.01). Further research is needed to confirm these data and to maximize the developmentally positive effects of videogames and preventing the negative consequences.

Videogame Addiction Scale for Children: Psychometric Properties and Gamer Profiles in the Italian Context

Given the few studies examining the evaluation of screening tools for videogame addiction among children aged 12 years and under, the present study analyzed (i) the psychometric properties (factorial structure, reliability indices and criterion validity) of the Italian version of the Videogame Addiction Scale for Children (VASC) and (ii) its construct validity using a person-centered approach. Two studies were carried out. In study 1, 728 participants completed a survey including demographic information, questions concerning the amount of time spent in playing videogames, and the Italian version of the VASC. In study 2, 1008 participants completed a survey comprising demographic information, the Italian version of the VASC, the Big Five Questionnaire for Children, and the social dimension subscale of the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale. Findings supported (i) the four-dimensional first-order factor structure, (ii) full scalar invariance across age groups and partial scalar equivalence across gender, and (iii) reliability and criterion validity of the VASC. The construct validity of the VASC was confirmed by the identification of two distinct profiles (high videogame players vs. low videogame players) and their specific patterns of associations with personality traits and social self-concept. Interaction effects of gender × profiles on personality traits were evidenced. Overall, the findings provided validity for the use of the Italian version of the VASC and extending the body of literature on videogame addiction.

Common Myths in the Behavioral Addiction Field

There is no shortage of controversy and debates within the field of behavioral addiction. In this paper, five myths are outlined concerning various behavioral addictions. These are: (i) behavioral addictions can occur concurrently, (ii) addictions such as videogame addiction are associated with other comorbidities and are therefore not separate disorders, (iii) ‘addictions’ are equivalent to ‘disorders’ in DSM-5 and ICD-11 nomenclature, (iv) very excessive behaviors are addictions, and (v) socially condoned excessive activities and activities engaged in willfully cannot be classed as behavioral addictions. It is argued that views based on these myths depend upon how behavioral addictions are defined in the first place. It is concluded that any behavior which has severe and longstanding clinical impairment and comprising core components of addiction (i.e., salience, conflict, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, and relapse) should be conceptualized as a behavioral addiction.

ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN ADOLESCENTS WITH PRIMARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH QUALITY OF LIFE AND VIDEOGAME ADDICTION

Relevance. It is known that arterial stiffness (AS) plays a significant role in the development and progression of arterial hypertension (AH), and psychological factors affect cardiovascular morbidity and mortality to the same extent as demographic and clinical. Objective was to study the relationship between arterial stiffness, quality of life and videogames addiction schoolchildren with primary arterial hypertension. Materials and methods. Twenty-nine children (92 boys, 37 girls) aged 9-17 years (mean 14,49±1,69 years) were examined. The diagnosis was verified according to the results of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The secondary character of the disease was excluded. The level of arterial hypertension was assessed by the ambulatory pulse pressure (APP), the quality of life by the SF-36, videogame addiction using a special questionnaire. Results. In girls with arterial hypertension APP was higher than 54,08±1,39 mm Hg, in the control group 46,32±1,78 mm Hg (P<0,001), in boys, respectively 60,37±1,39 mm Hg and 49,91±1,21 mm Hg (P<0,001). The scales of "vitality" and "mental health" SF-36 were significantly higher in boys with APP > 55 mm Hg than in boys with APP <55 mm Hg respectively –67,05±3,52 vs 48,54±5,49 and 72,00±3,93 vs 56,00±6,12. A direct correlation was between APP and "viability" (r = 0,61, P<0,01) and "mental health" (r=0,42, P<0,05), and video game addiction (r=0,63; P<0,01), as well as a direct correlation between the video game addiction and "viability" (r=0,53, P<0,05) and a negative correlation between video game addiction and "physical function" (r = -0,77, P<0,01). Conclusion. Video game addiction in boys with arterial hypertension is associated with a larger arterial stiffness and a decrease of physical functioning.