Washington: Researcher Cecilie Schou Andreassen revealed that video game addiction is more prevalent among younger men and among those not being in a current relationship, than others.
Schou Andreassen has carried out a study with more than 20 000 participants who answered questions related to videogame addiction.
The study showed that video game addiction appears to be associated with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.
Andreassen said that excessively engaging in gaming may function as an escape mechanism for, or coping with, underlying psychiatric disorders in attempt to alleviate unpleasant feelings and to calm restless bodies.
He added that the study implies that younger with some of these characteristics could be targeted regarding preventing development of an unhealthy gaming pattern.
The study also showed that addiction related to videogames and computer activities shows sex differences.
Men seem generally more likely to become addicted to online gaming, gambling, and cyber-pornography, while women to social media, texting and online shopping.
The study is published in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors of the American Psychological Association.
