Video game addiction is an increasingly relevant phenomenon in today's society. With the growth of the digital entertainment industry, more and more people are attracted to video games, and some may develop an unhealthy dependence on them. Excessive use of video games can cause physical and mental health problems, affect interpersonal relationships and academic or work performance. That is why it is essential to have effective tools to detect and address this problem.
The PVP Questionnaire and its importance
One of The most used instrument to evaluate video game addiction is the Video Game Preferences Questionnaire (PVP, for its acronym in English: “Problem Video Game Playing”). Developed by Van Rooij, J., Schoenmakers, TM, Vermulst, AA, Van den Eijnden, RJJM, and Van de Mheen, D., the PVP Questionnaire has become a standardized and validated tool to identify the presence of addiction symptoms to video games.
Components of the PVP Questionnaire
The PVP Questionnaire consists of several items that evaluate different aspects related to video game addiction. These items are grouped into three main dimensions:
- Willingness to play: evaluates how much time and effort the person dedicates to video games, whether they prefer to play instead of doing other activities, and whether they feel irritable. or uneasy when they cannot play.
- Problems caused by the game: analyze whether the use of video games has generated negative consequences in the person's life, such as academic, work, family or social problems.
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- Pattern of gaming: examines the frequency and duration of gaming sessions, as well as whether the person has attempted to reduce or control their gaming time without success.
Participants They respond to each item of the PVP Questionnaire using a scoring scale, which makes it possible to quantify the severity of video game addiction and establish a profile of the gaming behavior of the person evaluated.
How to use the PVP Questionnaire
The PVP Questionnaire can be applied in various contexts, such as clinical consultations, academic research or addiction prevention programs. Although its main use is to identify addiction to video games, it can also be useful to evaluate the risk of developing problems related to the use of video games in people who have excessive consumption but do not yet meet the criteria for addiction.
Application procedure
To use the PVP Questionnaire effectively, it is important to follow certain steps that guarantee the validity and reliability of the results obtained:
- Explain the purpose of the questionnaire: Before starting, it is essential to inform the person evaluated about the objectives of the evaluation and guarantee the confidentiality of their answers.
- Administer the questionnaire: Present the PVP Questionnaire in an accessible and understandable format, ensuring that the person can respond appropriately to each item.
- Interpret the results: Once the questionnaire is completed, it is important to analyze the responses and calculate the total score, considering that higher values indicate a greater probability of video game addiction.
- Provide feedback: Communicate the results of the evaluation in a clear and empathetic way, offering information about the risks associated with video game addiction and suggesting possible intervention strategies.
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Importance of early detection
Early detection of video game addiction is essential to prevent serious complications and provide the necessary help to affected people. The use of the PVP Questionnaire as an evaluation tool can facilitate the early identification of possible cases of addiction, allowing for timely intervention and specialized support to those who need it.
Benefits of early detectionBenefits of early detection
Identifying video game addiction in its initial stages offers a series of advantages both for affected individuals and for society in general:
- Early intervention: By detecting the problem at time, it is possible to implement effective intervention strategies that reduce the negative impact of addiction and promote recovery.
- Prevention of complications: Early detection helps prevent video game addiction from worsening and causing additional problems. on the physical, mental and social health of the affected person.
- Specialized support: Once the addiction is identified, specialized guidance and treatment adapted to the needs of each individual can be offered, promoting their well-being and reintegration. in everyday life.
- Awareness and education: Early detection contributes to raising awareness in the community about the risks associated with the problematic use of video games and promotes the adoption of healthier practices in the consumption of digital entertainment .
Conclusions
In short, the PVP Questionnaire is a valuable tool to detect video game addiction and guide intervention in cases of problematic use of video games. Its systematic and appropriate application can contribute to improving the early detection of addiction, offering the opportunity to provide support and treatment to those who need it. It is important to remember that video game addiction is a real problem and that having tools such as the PVP Questionnaire is essential to address this problem in an effective and empathetic way.