“I am gaming, you are gaming”: computer gaming habits and romantic relationship satisfaction
Background: one of the developmental tasks that young adults should achieve is to create meaningful long-term romantic relationship. However, one of the most popular leisure activities among young people, computer gaming, has shown to be harmful to interpersonal relationships. Therefore our aim was to assess the potential associations between computer gaming habits and romantic relationship satisfaction among gaming and non-gaming couples. Materials and Methods: the 18–39 years old adults, who have romantic partners, participated in this study. It was conducted in public places of Kaunas and Vilnius cities and counties. Paper questionnaires included Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) by Hendricks and 7-item Gaming Addiction Scale (GAS-7) by Lemmens et al. Four gaming profiles were identified: 1) Only respondent is gaming; 2) Only partner is gaming; 3) Both are gaming; 4) None are gaming. Univariate and bivariate statistical analysis was made. Results: romantic relationship satisfaction was high and did not differ among different gaming profiles. Respondents and their partners were gaming once a week, 2 days in a row, for 2 hours a day. Statistically non-significant associations were found between more expressed gaming habits and relationship satisfaction among both-gaming couples. Internet gaming disorder among young adults was expressed weakly. Respondents with more expressed internet gaming disorder were less satisfied with their relationship when partner was not gaming. Conclusion: gaming habits and internet gaming disorder did not correlate with romantic relationship satisfaction except for respondents gaming alone – in this case, higher internet gaming disorder was associated with lower relationship satisfaction.