Just One Hour Reduction in Online Gaming Time May Enhance Mental Health in Indian University Students: A COVID Pandemic Study

Abstract

Background: College students have taken to massive multiplayer online games (MMOG) for entertainment during this COVID pandemic. However, it could jeopardize their mental health risk if unregulated. Aim: This study aims to examine the relationship between gaming hours and key components of mental health viz self-compassion and online/offline integration, along with the role of time as a moderator in the relationship. Methods: A sample of 515 students who play MMOGs completed a set of standardized questionnaires. Descriptive, inferential analyses and moderated multiple regression were performed to study these relationships. Result: The results demonstrated a positive correlation between low game time, self-compassion and integration of online/offline life. Gamers with high self-compassion devoted lesser number of hours and tended to be well integrated in terms of their identity, social relations and functions in both online and offline lives as compared to gamers with low self-compassion who played for extensive hours. Conclusion: Limiting the game time by a couple of hours and incorporation of self-compassion intervention can evade the risks of gaming addiction and other related psychological disorders.

Keywords

• self-compassion
• massive multiplayer online games
• online/offline integration