Connections between online gaming, unplanned purchases, and mental health among Japanese high school students

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Author(s): Irie, Tomonari ; Shinkawa, Hiroki ; Tanaka, Masanori ; Yokomitsu, Kengo

Journal: Current Psychology

Year Published: 2022

Date Added: August 11, 2022

Excessive internet gaming can lead to internet gaming disorder (IGD). Internet games often include the ability to make in-game purchases. For example, loot boxes are random video game items that can be purchased with real-world money. This study examined whether unplanned in-game purchases are linked to problematic online gaming and mental health issues. A total of 1,052 Japanese high school students were surveyed. They were asked questions about their online gaming, in-game purchases, gaming problems and mental health. Adolescents who made unplanned purchases had a greater degree of problematic online gaming than those who planned their purchases. Also, participants who made unplanned purchases of loot boxes had more symptoms of depression and gaming problems related to preoccupation and overuse than those who made other unplanned purchases.

Citation: Irie, I., Shinkawa, H., Tanaka, M., & Yokomitsu, K. (2022). Online-gaming and mental health: Loot boxes and in-game purchases are related to problematic online gaming and depression in adolescents. Current Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03157-0

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03157-0

Keywords: adolescents ; gambling ; loot boxes ; mental health ; online gaming ; problematic gaming

Topics: Children and Youth ; Online Gambling ; Priority Populations

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Comorbid Disorders ; Psychological Factors ; Social - Social Demographics ; Exposure - Convergence of Gaming and Gambling ; Psychological - Lifespan Development ; Gambling Exposure ; Social Factors

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: Japan

Study Population: A total of 1,052 Japanese high students were included in this study. Over half of participants were female (56%). About 42% were male, and 2% did not provide their gender. Participants were between 15 and 18 years old. About 35% of participants were in grade 10, while 37% were in grade 11. About 28% were in grade 12.

Sampling Procedure: The researchers invited two public high schools in Japan to participate in this study. The schools that participated were included in an annual survey conducted in collaboration with the Board of Education.

Study Funding:

No funding sources were declared by the authors in relation to this study.