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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Problematic Internet Use among Hungarian Adult Recreational Esports Players

Author

Listed:
  • Gábor Kósa

    (Centre for Occupational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary)

  • Gergely Feher

    (Department of Primary Health Care, University of Pécs, 7623 Pecs, Hungary)

  • Lilla Horvath

    (Centre for Occupational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary)

  • Ivan Zadori

    (Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Education and Regional Development, University of Pécs, 7633 Pecs, Hungary)

  • Zsolt Nemeskeri

    (Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Education and Regional Development, University of Pécs, 7633 Pecs, Hungary)

  • Miklos Kovacs

    (Centre for Occupational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary)

  • Éva Fejes

    (Hospital of Komlo, 7300 Komlo, Hungary)

  • Janos Meszaros

    (Centre for Occupational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary)

  • Zoltan Banko

    (Department of Labour Law and Social Security Law, Faculty of Law, University of Pécs, 7622 Pecs, Hungary)

  • Antal Tibold

    (Centre for Occupational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary)

Abstract

Background: Esports are highly prevalent in modern culture, particularly among young people, and are a healthy hobby for the majority of users. However, there is a possible link between video gaming (including esports) and problematic internet use (so-called internet addiction, IA), mostly involving adolescents. Methods: Here we present an online survey focusing on the prevalence and risk factors of internet addiction among adult esports players. Demographics included age, gender, family type, type of work, working years and daily internet use. Medical conditions associated with IA such as smoking, alcohol and drug intake, hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, musculoskeletal pain and history of depression were also recorded. Results: Overall, 2313 players including 176 females (7.6%) and 2137 males (92.4%) participated in our online survey. Age distribution was the following: 18–25 years 90.3% (2088/2313), 26–35 years 7.95% (184/2313), 36–45 years 0.86% (20/2313), 46–55 years 0.82% (19/2313), 56–62 years 0.04% (1/2313) and 62 years or older 0.04% (1/2313). Internet addiction was detected in 19.9% of players (461/2313) based on the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire. In a multivariate analysis internet addiction was significantly associated with age between 18 and 25 (OR: 1.675, p = 0.002), being single (OR = 1.505, p = 0.014), internet use > 6 h daily (OR = 4.338, p < 0.001), having < 3 children (OR: 2.037, p = 0.023) and having secondary employment (OR = 1.789, p = 0.037). Regular alcohol intake (OR = 18.357, p < 0.001) and history of depression (OR= 5.361, p = 0.032) were also strongly correlated with IA. Conclusion: This is the first study from Hungary investigating the prevalence and risk factors of internet addiction among adult esports players. One out of five adult gamers suffered from IA. Our study also draws attention to increased risk within this group and risk factors such as younger age, family status and type of employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Gábor Kósa & Gergely Feher & Lilla Horvath & Ivan Zadori & Zsolt Nemeskeri & Miklos Kovacs & Éva Fejes & Janos Meszaros & Zoltan Banko & Antal Tibold, 2022. "Prevalence and Risk Factors of Problematic Internet Use among Hungarian Adult Recreational Esports Players," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:6:p:3204-:d:767043
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Krisztian Kapus & Rita Nyulas & Zsolt Nemeskeri & Ivan Zadori & Gyorgy Muity & Julianna Kiss & Andrea Feher & Eva Fejes & Antal Tibold & Gergely Feher, 2021. "Prevalence and Risk Factors of Internet Addiction among Hungarian High School Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, June.
    2. Heleen Riper & Adriaan Hoogendoorn & Pim Cuijpers & Eirini Karyotaki & Nikolaos Boumparis & Adriana Mira & Gerhard Andersson & Anne H Berman & Nicolas Bertholet & Gallus Bischof & Matthijs Blankers & , 2018. "Effectiveness and treatment moderators of internet interventions for adult problem drinking: An individual patient data meta-analysis of 19 randomised controlled trials," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(12), pages 1-26, December.
    3. Henrique Pereira & Gergely Fehér & Antal Tibold & Graça Esgalhado & Vítor Costa & Samuel Monteiro, 2021. "The Impact of Internet Addiction and Job Satisfaction on Mental Health Symptoms among a Sample of Portuguese Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-11, June.
    4. Gabor Toth & Krisztian Kapus & David Hesszenberger & Marietta Pohl & Gabor Kosa & Julianna Kiss & Gabriella Pusch & Eva Fejes & Antal Tibold & Gergely Feher, 2021. "Internet Addiction and Burnout in A Single Hospital: Is There Any Association?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-10, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marta Kożybska & Iwona Radlińska & Marcin Kolwitz & Beata Karakiewicz, 2023. "Problematic Internet Use among Polish Students: Prevalence, Relationship to Sociodemographic Data and Internet Usage Patterns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Yinhao Shen & Antonio Cicchella, 2023. "Health Consequences of Intensive E-Gaming: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-10, January.

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