Through my work, I have acces to several databases with scientific literature, like Elsevier's ScienceDirect. Today I spent some time looking for interesting articles about gaming addiction. While the articles that only ecourage the panic and ignorance around the subject of gaming addiction seem to get a lot of attention in the media, I find it odd that articles like this one below, that explain a lot about the nature of gaming addiction, are somehow ignored.

This is an abstract of an article from European Psychiatry, volume 23, issue 8, pages 212-218, 2008.

The relationship between online game addiction and aggression, self-control and narcissistic personality traits.

By Eun Joo Kim, Kee Namkoong, Taeyun Kub and Se Joo Kima

Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 250 Seongsanro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-752, South Korea

Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 373-1 Guseong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, South Korea

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the relationship between online game addiction and aggression, self-control, and narcissistic personality traits, which are known as the psychological characteristics linked to “at-risk” populations for online game addiction.

Method

A total of 1471 online game users (males 82.7%, females 17.3%, mean age 21.30 ± 4.96) participated in this study and were asked to complete several self-report measures using an online response method. Questionnaires included demographic information and game use-related characteristics of the samples, the online game addiction scale (modified from Young's Internet addiction scale), the Buss–Perry aggression questionnaire, a self-control scale, and the narcissistic personality disorder scale.

Results

Our results indicated that aggression and narcissistic personality traits are positively correlated with online game addiction, whereas self-control is negatively correlated with online game addiction (p < 0.001). In addition, a multiple regression analysis revealed that the extent of online game addiction could be predicted based on the person's narcissistic personality traits, aggression, self-control, interpersonal relationship, and occupation. However, only 20% of the variance in behavioral consequences was explained with the model.

Conclusion

An interesting profile has emerged from the results of this study, suggesting that certain psychological characteristics such as aggression, self-control, and narcissistic personality traits may predispose some individuals to become addicted to online games. This result will deepen our understanding of the “at-risk” population for online game addiction and provide basic information that can contribute to developing a prevention program for people who are addicted to online games.

x-posted to girl_gamers