Association between online gaming duration and psychological distress among high school adolescents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63868/majhs.v1i02.92Keywords:
Internet Addiction; Gaming Duration; Online Games; Psychological Distress; Adolescent Health.Abstract
Background: Excessive screen time exposure for online gaming carries a substantial risk of disrupting psychological well-being in adolescents, particularly during the critical phase of academic transition.
Objective:This study aimed to analyze the association between online gaming duration and the severity of psychological distress among vocational high school adolescents.
Methods: This observational analytic study with a cross-sectional design involved 33 final-year students (12th grade) at SMK NW Kumbung, East Lombok, recruited via total sampling. Gaming duration and mental emotional status were assessed using standardized self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using the Spearman's Rank Correlation test with a significance level set at p < 0.05.
Results: The majority of respondents spent a disproportionate amount of time playing online games, specifically 3–4 hours per day (45.5%), corresponding with a prevalence of psychological distress predominantly in the moderate (45.5%) and severe (39.4%) categories. Statistical analysis demonstrated a very strong and significant positive correlation between online gaming duration and the exacerbation of mental emotional disorders (p < 0.001; r = 0.962).
Conclusion: A longer duration of time spent on online gaming is highly associated with an increased severity of psychological distress in adolescents. Preventive interventions, including digital literacy psychoeducation programs and periodic mental health screenings in school settings, are urgently needed.
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