A Study of the Structure of Subjectivity in Early Adolescence with Different Levels of Computer Game Addiction

Abstract

We provide the description of the author’s questionnaire, which determines the level (natural, compensatory, dependent) of computer gaming addiction in young teens. The questionnaire involves five basic scales: emotional attitude to computer games; self-control in a computer game; goal orientation on the computer game; parental relation to a computer game; preference for virtual communication to real. We analyze the features of subjectivity in early adolescence with different levels of computer game addiction. The structure of subjectivity is defined as the level of expression of its components: activity; awareness of the capacity for reflection, freedom of choice and responsibility for it; awareness of self-uniqueness; understanding and acceptance of the other; self-development. We found that children with high levels of computer gaming addiction have lower rates on such components of subjectivity as awareness of the capacity for reflection, awareness of freedom of choice and responsibility for it, understanding and acceptance of the other, the awareness of self. On the intensity of the components of subjectivity, three groups of young adolescents with low, balanced and unbalanced performance are revealed.