KM Anjalee and Rakesh Kumar
Gurukula Kangari (Deemed to be University), Uttarakhand
Pages: 223-232
The increasing prevalence of online video gaming among young adults has sparked
significant interest in behavioural and higher brain cognitive function research. Our
study, which investigates the impact and consequences of online video gaming on
human behaviour, particularly attention and anxiety levels, significantly contributes to
this field. The study aimed to investigate the potential significant difference between
online video gaming attention and anxiety levels. A total of one hundred (100) subjects
(25 female non-Gamer, 25 male non-Gamer, 25 female Gamers, and 25 male gamers,
age range 18–24 years; mean age: 21.3 ± 1.78 years) were selected. This questionnaire
comprises demographic data, accuracy, and speed relationship measures through
letter cancelation and the Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD) Scale. The participants
were divided into gamers and non-video gamers based on their online gaming hours.
The mean age of the participants was 21.3 years. Mean and SD results revealed that
gamer has a higher level of accuracy of sustained attention, speed of sustained attention,
and potentially lower anxiety levels as compared to non-gamer. Gender differences in
accuracy and anxiety are more noticeable among non-gamers compared to gamers.
Results find that analysis of variance that group (gamer or non-gamer) significantly
impacts the accuracy of sustained attention, speed of sustained attention, and anxiety
levels were significant. Nevertheless, gender (male x female) and interaction were not
found to be substantial. Video gamers were significantly more attentive than non-gamers.
These results suggest that gaming could be leveraged in educational and therapeutic
settings to enhance cognitive abilities and reduce anxiety among young adults. However,
it is essential to balance these potential benefits with the awareness of possible negative
consequences of excessive gaming, such as addiction and social isolation.