Toward a better understanding of the relation between violent videogame play and different types of antisocial behavior

Hamburger, Merle, Ybarra, Michele, Hall, Jeffery, Leaf, Philip, & Diener-West, Marie (2008, July). Toward A Better Understanding of the Relation Between Violent Videogame Play and Different Types of Antisocial Behavior. Presented at the  International Society for Research on Aggression XVIII World Meeting, Budapest, Hungary.

Summary:

This presentation analyzes data from the Growing up with Media study to explore youth exposure to violent video games and its consequences.

Findings include:

1. Playing violent video games is common.

- Over a quarter of respondents report playing violent video games

- Weekly exposure significantly related to playing violent video games

2. Consistent with previous literature reporting associations between violent video games and aggression.

3. Frequent exposure to violent video games is concurrently associated with serious externalizing behaviors.

4. Character identification is a mediator.

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