An anonymous reader writes: How prevalent is video game addiction? Daniel Loton of Victoria University, Melbourne Australia, is leading an extended global study on video game play and health, focusing specifically on determining the possible negative consequences of excessive gaming on employment, study, parenting and relationships; as well as on mental, physical and social health. His previous work in this area indicated that excessive video game play is largely unrelated to social skills (www.computergameresearch.com)
The current study uses a dynamic survey that adapts to participants' life circumstances which is completed monthly for 9 months, eliciting longitudinal data. The study also includes measures of satisfaction across several life domains in order to explore whether these may play a part in outcomes.
It will help to determine whether video game play can be a coping mechanism for other problems experienced in life, or whether it may be a central cause of problems over time.
The only criteria to take part is to be 18 years of age or older and to speak English; the study is open to gamers across the world. For further information visit www.videogamestudies.net