The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58487

John Y Oh, MPH¹, Jay M Bernhardt, PhD, MPH², and Richard Crosby, PhD, MA². (1) Health Care Team, United States General Accounting Office, 2635 Century Parkway, Suite 700, Atlanta, GA 30345, 404-679-1931, ohj@gao.gov, (2) Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322

This study explored the relationship between violent Internet video game play and antisocial behaviors and beliefs among users of first-person shooter computer games (FPS). Young adult males (N=168), 18-30 years old, were recruited from online gaming forums to participate in this study. Quantitative data on experiences with FPS, violent behaviors and experiences, attitudes towards violence, perceptions of violence in society, social isolation, and demographics were gathered via a 43-item online survey. Participants were divided into two groups (low users and high users) based on their self-reported level of play of FPS and the aforementioned variables were tested for differences between these groups.

No statistically significant differences between low users and high users of FPS was found for exposure to real-life violence, involvement in real-life violence, anxiety about victimization from real-life violence, self-efficacy to avoid aggression, and expected outcomes from aggression. Contrary to one hypothesis, low users reported more violent perceptions of reality than high users. Lower levels of social isolation were seen among low users as compared to high users.

The findings suggest that low and high players of FPS have similar beliefs and experiences related to aggression and violence. Additional research should seek to replicate these findings with more representative samples of video game players, and with younger populations. Other forms of media should be analyzed in connection with FPS. Research should also look at possible differences between users and non-users of violent video games. Lastly, the effects of FPS on social isolation warrant additional explanation.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Distinguish between types of video game violence
• Recognize violence in video games as a public health issue
• Articulate the possible antisocial effects of violent Internet video games

Keywords: Violence, Media

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.