Problematic video gaming and psychological distress among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Yifan Wang 1 2 * , Marilyn Fortin 3 4 , Christophe Huỳnh 2 5 , Lia Maria Gentil 6 7
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1 School of Psycho-Education, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, CANADA2 University Institute on Addictions, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, CANADA3 Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Montréal, QC, CANADA4 CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Montréal, QC, CANADA5 Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, CANADA6 Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, CANADA7 Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montréal, QC, CANADA* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Increased internet usage, particularly in video gaming, has been observed in recent years. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of literature on psychological distress in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature search followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Data extraction and thematic analysis were performed to explore problematic video gaming (PVG) and its association with psychological distress. Findings revealed an increase in time spent on gaming during the pandemic, with higher severity of PVG observed in adolescents. Boys were more likely to exhibit gaming addiction symptoms than girls. A bidirectional relationship between PVG and psychological distress was found. Increased screen usage was amplified during the pandemic and persisted as a lingering concern. Educators and parents play a pivotal role in monitoring children’s screen time by structuring online lessons to prevent psychological distress. Lessons drawn from the pandemic are not just retrospective but instrumental for future societal challenges.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Review Article

EUR J ENV PUBLIC HLT, Volume 8, Issue 4, 2024, Article No: em0162

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejeph/15206

Publication date: 01 Oct 2024

Online publication date: 26 Sep 2024

Article Views: 819

Article Downloads: 408

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