Relationship of Mobile Game Addiction and Screen Exposure with Hyperactivity and Social Skills in Children with ADHD

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20279438

Abstract

This study was designed to explore the associations between mobile game addiction, screen time, hyperactivity and social skills in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Smartphones, digital games, tablets and digital technology are more common than ever in the modern world which can have a negative impact on children's behavioral and social development and particularly on the vulnerable groups, including children with ADHD. A quantitative correlational research design was used in this study. The sample included 150 children diagnosed with ADHD who were selected by purposive sampling procedure in schools and clinical settings. The age of the participants is in the range from 7 to 12 years. Standardized measures were used to gather data such as the Mobile Game Addiction Scale, Screen Exposure Questionnaire, Hyperactivity Scale, and Social Skills Rating Scale. Data collected was analysed with SPSS software, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, t-test, ANOVA and regression analysis. The findings of the study showed that the correlation between the hyperactivity and the mobile game addiction of ADHD children was positive and significant. Hyperactivity was also associated with exposure to screen. Moreover, there was a strong negative correlation between the two forms of addiction, mobile gaming and screen time, and social skills. The results of regression analysis showed that mobile game addiction and screen exposure significantly explained the variance in hyperactivity and social skills respectively, with a significant portion of the variance being accounted for. The ANOVA results revealed the differences in hyperactivity according to the categories of screen exposure were also significant. According to the analysis, overuse of mobile games and screen time can be harmful to the social development of children with ADHD and could exacerbate hyperactivity symptoms in such children. The study concludes that screen time and gaming behaviors need to be monitored and controlled to enhance children's behavioural and social behaviours.