Awareness of Risk Factors for Digital Game Addiction: Interviewing Players and Counselors

The potential dangers of digital games for the development of game addiction among their players are discussed in media as well as in scientific research. Research so far has identified several potential risk factors among social settings, traits, and playing motives. The present study provides first insights into the perceptions of risk factors by (non-addicted) players (N=28) and by counselors (N=7). By conducting individual interviews with both groups we found that players especially named social settings as the most important influence on the development of problematic playing behaviour while counselors focused more on further existing psychological problems. We argue that the experience of both groups has to be taken into account to guide the development of prevention and intervention programs.