“I am gaming, you are gaming”: computer gaming habits and romantic relationship satisfaction

Abstract

Introduction. One of the developmental tasks young adults should achieve is to create meaningful long-term romantic relationships. However, computer gaming, one of the most popular leisure activities among young people, 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. Methods. 18–39 years old adults, who have romantic partners participated in this study. The survey was conducted in public places in the cities and counties of Kaunas and Vilnius. 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 analyses were 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 their partner was not gaming. Conclusion. Higher internet gaming disorder was associated with lower relationship satisfaction when only respondents were gaming.