Epidemiology of Pathological Online Games Use and Its Effect on Anxiety and Insomnia in Chinese Ethnic Minorities Adolescents

Abstract

Background: The growing popularity and frequency of online games use has resulted in a large number of studies reporting various mental problems associated with its abuse in adolescents. In this article, we examined the prevalence of pathological online games use (POGU) and explored the associations of the POGU with anxiety and insomnia symptoms with minority youth in China.Methods: 1494 students completed a questionnaire of Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire Short-Form (POGQ-SF), Generalized Anxiety Condition iems (GAD-7), and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). Chi-square and binary logistic regression analysis were used to explore the association between pathological online games and anxiety/insomnia. Results: 356 (23.83%) respondents reported they had pathological online games use. Chi-square analysis shows that gender, grade, marital status of parents and exercise situation were significantly associated with POGU. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that those who had POGU were at significantly higher risk for anxiety and insomnia, compared to those who without POGU.Conclusion: We found a high incidence of POGU and a positive association among anxiety, insomnia and POGU. Thus, special focus should be paid to those who have suffered POGU. And, it is worth addressing the adverse effects of POGU on anxiety and insomnia.