Gaming Addiction, Negative Emotions, and Aggression in Young Adults

Abstract

In the contemporary era of technology, millions of students worldwide are exposed to violent video games. The present study examined the effect of gaming addiction on aggression among young adults, with gaming addiction operationalized as PUBG addiction. A total of 250 PUBG addicts, including an equal number of men (n = 125) and women (n = 125) aged between 18 and 25 years (M = 21, SD = 2), participated in the study. The instruments used included the Gaming Addiction Scale for Adolescents to assess PUBG addiction, the Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire to measure aggression, and the Profile of Mood States Questionnaire to assess negative emotions. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between PUBG addiction and aggression, whereas the relationship between PUBG addiction and negative emotions was nonsignificant. Additionally, negative emotions were found to be significantly associated with aggression. Men reported significantly higher levels of PUBG addiction than women, while gender differences in negative emotions and aggression were nonsignificant. The study concluded with comprehensive implications for young adults in Pakistan, emphasizing the need for awareness and preventive measures to mitigate the adverse psychological effects of excessive gaming behaviour.