Description of the use and dependence to videogames in adolescents schooled in Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche

Abstract

Video games are a means of entertainment made by an electronic device, however, when their frequent and prolonged use is transformed into a psychological dependency, this can cause various problems for the health of the players. Objective. To describe the pattern of use and dependence on video games in a sample of school adolescents in Ciudad del Carmen Campeche. Method. Descriptive cross-sectional study carried out on 581 adolescents by means of a convenience sampling, applying the Questionnaire on the pattern and use of video games and the Video Game Dependency Test (VDT). Measures of central tendency and variability were carried out. The reliability of the VDT was also determined through Cronbach's Alpha and Chi Square for the categorical variables. Results. 85.5% of the adolescents use video games. Significant differences in their use by gender were obtained, identifying that this activity is carried out more in men. In general, 56.5% present a low dependence. Conclusions. We suggest that longitudinal studies be conducted in attention to the excessive and prolonged use of video games in association with the variables of abuse, tolerance and difficulty of control.