Excessive gaming and internet use: Preliminary results with anxiety and depression among highly engaged Peruvian gamers

Abstract

According to the world internet statistics, Peru reported 22 million of internet users in 2017 and the penetration rate was 67% in the same year [1]. With the rapid proliferation of internet and videogames, internet addiction and addiction to videogames has become a topic of interest among different professionals, scholars, organizations and the media in Peru. Despite the fact that previous research has found clear differences and demographic profiles for internet addiction and internet gaming disorder, to our knowledge, there have been no further reports on these associations between these variables in Peruvian gamers. In addition to this, the term "internet addiction" has always been associated with videogames in the Peruvian context. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the extent of association between problematic internet use, gaming addiction, and time spent playing, depression, and anxiety. Methods: To examine these associations, Peruvian gamers completed the problematic internet use questionnaire (PIUQ), and problematic online gaming questionnaire (POGQ), as well as anxiety and depression subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Results: As expected, results demonstrated significant associations between PIUQ, POGQ, anxiety, depression and amount of weekly gaming. Implications and results are discussed for academics and mental health professionals in Peru.