Relationship between action video games, mindfulness and fear of COVID-19 in university students

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2024.1.42541

Keywords:

fear of Covid-19, Mindfulness, computer games, attention

Abstract

Interaction with video games increased significantly in the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, an attentional aspect that may show changes related to the amount of interaction with action video games is mindfulness. Therefore, the objective of this study was to verify a possible relationship between the use of action video games (in weekly hours), mindfulness and fear of COVID-19. To this end, players and non-players of action video games aged between 18 and 29 years (n = 384, M = 21.6, SD = 2.6) were asked to respond to the Covid Fear Scale and the Facets of Mindfulness. Results did not demonstrate a significant relationship between the use of action video games and mindfulness, but showed that action video game players were less afraid of COVID-19. It is discussed how the escapism provided by the game can partly explain a decrease in attention to information related to the disease.

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Author Biographies

Radael Rezende Rodrigues Junior, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brazil.

PhD in Psychology Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), in Vitória, ES, Brazil; Master of Arts from the same institution.

Livia Carla de Melo Rodrigues, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brazil.

PhD in Physiological Sciences from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), in Vitória, ES, Brazil. Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), in Vitória, ES, Brazil.

Mariane, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brazil.

PhD in Developmental Psychology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Master in Psychology UFRGS. Associate professor at the Department of Social and Developmental Psychology and the Postgraduate Program in Psychology at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), in Vitória, ES, Brazil.

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Published

2024-03-19

How to Cite

Rezende Rodrigues Junior, R., de Melo Rodrigues, L. C., & Lima de Souza, M. (2024). Relationship between action video games, mindfulness and fear of COVID-19 in university students. Psico, 55(1), e42541. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2024.1.42541

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Vol. 55 No. 1 (2024): Single Volume - Continuous flow

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