Behavioral Addictions:Gaming

Developed by:Cora Burke, MA

The Quest• What are “gaming

addictions”?

• What do people love about gaming?

• What are the problems that develop from too much online gaming?

• Introduce ways to disrupt problematic gaming

DW DPS DK w/ 10.5K GS LFG H FL:The gaming vocabulary

• Some terms you need to know: –MMORPG– Guild– Raid– Loot–Main

• An overview of gaming

Breaking out of the basement:The Gamer Stereotype

• Who plays?– Doctors, Lawyers, Therapists, Professors, Actors,

Athletes– Chuck Norris

• Average age: 26– Nearly 50% of gamers are between 18 and 49.– The 50/50 mark.

• Why should you care?– It is estimated that 22% of gamers are full time

college students• That number may be closer to 50% for console gamers

– Average time played? 22 hours per week.

Gaming is Fun• MMO’s are socially driven!• Goals!• Make friends• Can be yourself!• Challenge• Power

Why play?• AchievementPlayers

between 18 and 22 are the most likely to exhibit problematic usage!– Males > Females

• Research suggests two different groups– Escapists

• Depression? Relationship Issues?

– Achievers• Goal-driven

– Obtainable rewards

Keep em coming back for more

• Extrinsic Rewards– Praise from others– Money– Gifts

• Intrinsic Rewards– Curiosity & exploration– Sense of belonging– Autonomy– Competence– Goals & Plans

Attraction and MotivationAttraction Factor Attraction

AddictionMotivation Addiction

Achievement •Achievement

•Goal Driven

•Becoming Powerful

•Compensating Self Esteem

Relationship •Supportive Friends

•Camaraderie

•Proxies for RL Relationships

Immersion •Self Exploration•Fantasy

•Evasion of RL Problem

•Compensating Self-image

The AttractionMotivational Factor MMORPG Outlet Attraction Factor

Low self esteem Being Competent and Powerful

Achievement

Poor Self Image Being Beautiful and Attractive

Immersion

Lack of control over own life

Being in control Achievement

Trapped by Circumstances

Making a difference Relationship + Achievement

Undervalued Valued and Needed RelationshipMaking and Sustaining

Relationships

Simplifies Communication

Relationship

Stress and RL Problems

Evasion and Avoidance

Immersion

Just one more daily….• Excessive use:

– Time loss– Lack of attention to hygiene

• Withdrawal:– Anger, Tension

• Tolerance– I need a better graphics card!– Longer play time

• Negative repercussions– Lying about play time– Loss of job– Social isolation– Lack of sleep

Breaking the Cycle• Depression

• Anxiety

• Relationship Difficulties

• OCD

Help me!• People don’t seek help!– Scared– Stigma attached• Don’t want to be seen as

a loser– Don’t want to lose friends– Other reasons

Ch-Ch-Changes1) Monitor your schedule

• How many hours are you spending online• How many hours responsibilities do you have

2) Determine what needs are being met online and find ways to get them in the social world. • Where in the real world can you find challenge, curiosity, control, fantasy,

competition, cooperation, and recognition?3) Set attainable goals in the real world

• Make gaming a reward for reaching goals on the social world• Take responsibility for lack of satisfaction in your life

4) Don’t expect instant gratification• Change takes time• Happiness is a journey not an end point

5) Understand the role of gaming in your life• Do you game to avoid stress?• Are your relationships satisfying?

Can’t stop or know someone?

• UWF Counseling and Wellness Services– 8a-5p Monday through Friday– 850.474.2420– Free and confidential

• Main Campus– Building 960, between Tennis Courts and

Fine Arts• Emerald Coast Campus?– Call the main number

Loot received

Questions?

References• Blizzard Entertainment. (2008). World of Warcraft subscriber base reaches 11.5 million worldwide. Retrieved from

http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/press/pressreleases.html?081121Cole, H., & Griffiths, M.D. (2007). Social interactions in massively multiplayer online role-playing gamers. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 10(4), 575-583.Ducheneaut, N., Yee, N., Nickell, E., & Moore, R.J. (2006) Building an MMO with mass appeal: A look at gameplay in World of Warcraft. Games and Culture, 1, 281-317.Griffiths, M.D., Davies, N.O., & Chappell, D. (2004). Online computer gaming: A comparison of adolescent and adult gamers. Journal of Adolescence, 27, 87-96.Griffiths, M.D., & Meredith, A. (2009) Videogame addiction and its treatment. Journal of Contemporary Psychology, 39, 247-253.Lemmens, J.S., Valkenburg, P.M., & Peter, J. (2009). Development and validation of a game addiction scale for adolescents. Media Psychology, 12, 77-95.Leon, D., & Rotunda, R. (2000) Contrasting case studies of frequent internet use: Is it pathological or adaptive? Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 14, 9-17.Longman, H., Sci, B.B., O’Conner, E., & Obst, P. (2009) The effect of social support derived from World of Warcraft on negative psychological symptoms. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 12(5), 563-566.Peters, C.S. Malesky, L.A. (2008). Problematic usage among highly-engaged players of massively multiplayer online role-playing games. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 11(4), 481-484.Smyth, J.M. (2007) Beyond self-selection in video game play: An experimental examination of the consequences of massively multiplayer online role-playing game play. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 10(5), 717-721.Widyanto, L., & Griffiths, M. (2006) Internet addiction: A critical review. Internation Journal of Mental Health Addiction, 4, 31-51.Williams, D., Ducheneaut, N., Xiong, L., Zhang, Y., Yee, N., & Nickell, E. (2006) From tree house to barracks: The social life of guilds in World of Warcraft. Games and Culture, 1(4), 339-361.Young, K.S. (2009a). Understanding online gaming addiction and treatment issues for adolescents. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 37, 355-372.Young, K.S. (2009b). Online gaming addiction: Symptoms, risk factors, and treatment. The Praeger International Collection on Addictions, 4, 321-337.Young, K.S. (2009c). Internet Addiction: Diagnoses and treatment considerations. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 39, 241-246.