Work

Social Anxiety, Risk Perception, and Problematic Use of Mobile Phones and Video Games: A Gender Perspective

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Adolescents spend much of their leisure time using technological devices, especially mobile phones and video games, making their use susceptible to becoming problematic. Objectives: This study aims to examine the relationship between social anxiety and risk perception in problematic mobile phone use (PMU) and problematic video game use (PVGU) among adolescents aged 10 to 16, considering potential gender differences. Methods: A total of 757 participants completed the Spanish version of New Addictions Detection Questionnaire (UPVG), the Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale for Adolescents (MPPUSA), and the Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised (SASC-R). Results: Boys reported higher PVGU scores, and significant differences were found between genders in the perception of risks associated with both PMU and PVGU. No differences emerged in overall social anxiety or its subfactors. Within each gender, positive associations were observed between PMU, PVGU, and social anxiety. Predictive models explained up to 63% of the variance, identifying different risk and protective factors for boys and girls. Conclusions: Both PMU and PVGU should be analyzed from the viewpoint of gender. Although there are similarities between genders, relevant differences highlight the need for tailored preventive strategies.

Source: Healthcare

DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13222831

Authors: Rosario Ruiz-Olivares, Valentina Lucena Jurado, Antonio Ruiz-García, Antonio Félix Raya Trenas

Institution: University of Córdoba

Language: English

Topic: Impact of Technology on Adolescents

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Gender equality

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258