Some young gamers may be at higher risk of mental health problems, but family and school support can help
Pre-teens who struggle to control their video gaming habits are more likely to have psychotic-like experiences a year later, a new study has found.
91丝瓜视频 researchers and colleagues at Maastricht University found that 12-year-olds who showed signs of problematic gaming were more likely to experience mild paranoia, unusual beliefs or disturbed perceptions at age 13.
鈥淧roblematic gaming means having difficulty controlling one鈥檚 amount of gaming, leading to distress or problems at school or in relationships,鈥� said lead author Vincent Paquin, Assistant Professor鈥痠n 91丝瓜视频鈥檚 Department of Psychiatry and psychiatrist at the Jewish General Hospital.
Supportive environments matter
Notably, young gamers who felt more supported at school and at home were less likely to have problematic gaming habits overall.
鈥淔or health professionals, teachers and policymakers, our findings highlight the importance of promoting supportive social environments. It may help prevent gaming from becoming problematic,鈥� said Paquin.
Once gaming became problematic, however, support from family and school alone was not enough to offset the later mental health link, he added, suggesting that other forms of mental health supports may be needed.
How the study was conducted
The findings, published in the , are based on data from more than 6,000 U.S. adolescents. The broader study began when participants were nine. They were surveyed at ages 12 and 13 about their gaming habits, mental health and daily lives.
Using statistical models, researchers examined whether problematic gaming predicted later mental health symptoms. The association persisted even after accounting for earlier mental health symptoms and family factors, suggesting the link was not simply a product of pre-existing problems.
Looking beyond screen time
More broadly, the results add nuance to current conversations about screen time, suggesting the risks may be more about quality than quantity.
鈥淰ideo games can foster creativity, social connection and a sense of agency. But in a minority of young people, they become sources of distress that crowd out other aspects of life,鈥� said Paquin.
The team is now developing a practical assessment tool to help doctors and educators better understand not just how much young people game, but how gaming fits into their broader lives and well-being.
About the study
鈥� by Vincent Paquin and Sinan G眉l枚ks眉z et al., was published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions.
Support was provided by Fonds de recherche du Qu茅bec 鈥� Sant茅, Minist猫re de la sant茅 et des services sociaux, National Institute of Mental Health, European Union鈥檚 Horizon Europe Program, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Commission.
