Predicting the Time Spent Playing Computer and Mobile Games among Medical Undergraduate Students Using Interpersonal Relations and Social Cognitive Theory: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Chongqing, China

Li Chen, Ruiyi Liu, Huan Zeng, Xianglong Xu, Rui Zhu, Manoj Sharma and Yong Zhao
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Li Chen: School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Ruiyi Liu: School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Huan Zeng: School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Xianglong Xu: School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Rui Zhu: School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Manoj Sharma: Department of Behavioural and Environmental Health, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39213, USA
Yong Zhao: School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-13

Abstract: Background : Computer and mobile games are widely used among undergraduate students worldwide, especially in China. Our objective was to predict the time spent playing computer and mobile games based on interpersonal relations and social cognitive theory constructs (i.e., expectation, self-efficacy, and self-control). Methods : The cross-sectional survey was conducted in two medical universities using a sample of 1557 undergraduate students recruited by cluster sampling. The five-point Likert questionnaire was jointly developed by researchers from Chongqing Medical University and Jackson State University. Results : Approximately 30% and 70% of the students played computer and mobile games, respectively. The daily times spent by participants on computer games were 25.61 ± 73.60 min (weekdays) and 49.96 ± 128.60 min (weekends), and 66.07 ± 154.65 min (weekdays) and 91.82 ± 172.94 min (weekends) on mobile games. Students with high scores of interpersonal relations but low scores of self-efficacy spent prolonged time playing computer games on weekdays and weekends ( p < 0.05 for all). Students with low scores of expectation spent prolonged time playing computer games on weekdays ( p < 0.05). Students with high scores of interpersonal relations but low scores of self-efficacy and self-control spent prolonged time playing mobile games on weekdays and weekends ( p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions : The prevalence and duration of playing mobile games were higher than those of playing computer games among medical undergraduate students in Chongqing, China. This study determined the interpersonal relations, self-efficacy, self-control, and expectation of the students at the time of playing computer and mobile games. Future studies may consider studying the interaction among game-related behaviours, environments, and personality characteristics.

Keywords: time; gaming disorder; interpersonal relations; self-efficacy; self-control; expectations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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