Game Research

Project Title: Video game behaviour: Psychological wellbeing of users.

Investigators:
Chris Jones (Bachelor Student, Double degree Applied science Psychology & IT)
Mervyn Jackson(Project Supervisor, Health Sciences)

Project description:
Background: The use of video games is fast becoming a source of concern amongst governments around the world (Thierer, 2003; Thorsen, 2005). The World Health Organisation states that many nations are in the midst of an obesity epidemic stimulated by our sedentary lifestyles (World Health Organization, 2006). The physical effects of high engagement in video games are evident, lower levels of physical activity may lead to obesity which is linked to %u201Cchronic diseases, including Type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer%u201D(World Health Organization, 2006). A study conducted in 2006 by Shu Ching Yang and Chieh-Ju Tung into the demographic of teenage internet addicts in Taiwan found that participants with low self-esteem, high scores on depression and shyness had a high tendency to become addicted. Furthermore, the psychosocial effects of video gaming and the psychological state of the gamers are less evident. With the new generations of video games requiring high level social interactions amongst players the apparent risk of addiction must be addressed.

This study aims to investigate game playing behaviours and the wellbeing of users.

Participation is completely voluntary and you may withdraw at anytime.

If you wish to participate please go to

http://yallara.cs.rmit.edu.au/~cjones/research/index.php

Thank you

RMIT University