Self-Compassion and Problematic Gaming: A Randomized Trial

This study investigates the impact of self-compassion on reducing problematic gaming behaviors among young adults. Problematic gaming has been linked to anxiety, depression, and social dysfunction, and this study aims to assess how self-compassion can address these issues. The study explores the role of basic psychological needs and social anxiety as mediators in this process. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 308 online game players (M = 22.40, SD = 3.52), who were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 194) or a waitlist group (n = 114). The intervention consisted of an online self-compassion program. Participants completed pretest, posttest, and follow-up questionnaires to assess the changes in self-compassion and problematic gaming behaviors. The results indicated that the intervention significantly increased self-compassion and reduced problematic gaming through the same mediating pathways of basic psychological needs and social anxiety. These findings suggest that self-compassion training may be an effective intervention for reducing problematic gaming behaviors among young adults, with implications for mental health interventions in gaming communities.