Exploring the E-Gaming Addiction and its Impact on General Health and Social-Emotional Well-being of Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Initially, electronic gaming (E-games) primarily served as a form of entertainment. However, excessive engagement with these games has led to addiction, resulting in physical and socio-emotional well-being challenges for some individuals. This study aimed to assess the impact of E-gaming addiction on the overall health and socio-emotional well-being of undergraduate students who were attending online classes due to the closure of educational institutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey involving 320 undergraduate students from the University of Sargodha, Pakistan, was conducted using Google Forms. Data analysis revealed a moderate negative impact of E-gaming addiction on general health, as well as a negative impact on socio-emotional well-being. These findings suggest that students with higher levels of online gaming addiction experienced health issues and exhibited weaker socio-emotional well-being. To address this, it is essential for parents and educators to encourage students to engage in alternative, healthy, and socially interactive activities, thereby redirecting their habits towards more positive behaviors.