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
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Title: | 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 | Authors: | Harrington, Brian | Advisor: | O'Connell, Michael | Permanent link: | http://hdl.handle.net/10197/8536 | Date: | 2016 | Online since: | 2017-05-26T09:40:48Z | 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. | Type of material: | Master Thesis | Publisher: | University College Dublin. School of Psychology | Qualification Name: | M.Litt. | Copyright (published version): | 2016 the author | Keywords: | Children and adolescents; Different socioeconomic groups; Empathy; Prosocial behaviour; Prosocial video game use; Violent video game use | Other versions: | http://dissertations.umi.com/ucd:10093 | Language: | en | Status of Item: | Peer reviewed |
Appears in Collections: | Psychology Theses |
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