Relationships between Stress and Fear of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Game Engagement, and Gaming Addiction in Japan

Abstract

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the gaming industry experienced high sales growth, and there are concerns about the increased prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). This study examined the effect of stress and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic on problematic gaming in Japan. An online survey of 600 Japanese gamers was conducted using the Gaming Addiction Scale (GAS7-J), Game Engagement Questionnaire (GEQ-J), COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S-J), and COVID Stress Scale (CSS-J). Based on the GAS7-J, 437 healthy and 158 problematic gamers were selected. The results showed that people with problematic gaming had longer gameplay time, higher game engagement, higher physiological fear, and several stressors related to the COVID-19 situation as compared to healthy people. Furthermore, COVID-19 fear and stress were suggested to mediate gaming engagement and influence IGD. The present study assessed the risk factors contributing to the incidence of IGD in the COVID-19 situation.