Citation

Kestenbaum GI, Weinstein L. J. Am. Acad. Child Psychiatry 1985; 24(3): 329-333.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, American Academy of Child Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1016/S0002-7138(09)61094-3

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper presents an empirical study of the relationship of heavy video game use in adolescent male subjects to personality and psychopathological factors. Based on the nature of the games and on developmental theory, it was hypothesized that heavy video game use plays a role in managing developmental conflicts, particularly with regard to the discharge of aggression and the open expression of competition, and does not result in increased neuroticism, social withdrawal, or escape into fantasy. Heavy video game users were also hypothesized to have lower frustration tolerance. A study of 208 adolescent male subjects supported these hypotheses. The results were discussed in terms of the need for mastery of experiences, and in terms of the reawakening of Oedipal conflicts in adolescence as described by Blos. It was stressed that much of the anxiety about video games represents a parental issue, akin to parental overreactions to other adolescent outlets.

Language: en