Video game use and prosocial behaviour: an investigation into the relationship between prosocial video game use, empathy and prosocial behaviour in children and adolescents from different socio-economic groups

Abstract

1. Objectives: The main aim of this study was to determine if there was a positive relationship between prosocial video game use and prosocial behaviour in Irish children and adolescents. In addition this study had three related objectives: to determine if prosocial video game use was positively associated with empathy in children and adolescents; to determine if the relationship between prosocial video game use and prosocial behaviour remained significant after controlling for theoretically relevant variables such as sociodemographic variables and weekly game play; to determine if there was a negative relationship between violent video game use and prosocial behaviour in children and adolescents.2. Method: This study had a cross-sectional correlational design. Data were collected from 538 9-15 year old children and adolescents between March and December 2014. Participants completed measures of empathy, prosocial behaviour and video game habits. Teachers rated the prosocial behaviour of participants. The socio-economic status of participants was also recorded.3. Results: Multiple linear regressions were conducted on these data using two models. Prosocial video game use was positively associated with empathy and affective relationships in Models 1 and 2. This association remained significant after controlling for gender, age, violent video game use, socio-economic status and school status (disadvantaged/non-disadvantaged) in Model 1. Weekly game play was controlled for alongside the aforementioned independent variables in Model 2.4. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that prosocial video game use could develop empathic concern and improve affective relationships in a diverse population of youth.