Self-Compassion and Problematic Gaming: A Randomized Trial
NCT ID: NCT07270315
Last Updated: 2025-12-16
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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COMPLETED
NA
308 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2023-10-15
2024-04-21
Brief Summary
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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.
Detailed Description
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Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
PREVENTION
NONE
Study Groups
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Self-Compassion Intervention Group
Participants in this group received a 14-day online course titled Positive Self, designed to enhance self-compassion. The course included 14 didactic videos (approximately 10 minutes each) on self-compassion concepts and applications, as well as 14 guided audio meditations (approximately 6 minutes each). The meditation practice involved in this intervention began with 3 days of breathing meditation, followed by 11 days of loving-kindness meditation. This intervention has been shown to effectively promote self-compassion in prior research.
Positive Self - 14-Day Online Self-Compassion Course
The Positive Self intervention is a 14-day online course designed to enhance self-compassion. The course includes 14 didactic videos (approximately 10 minutes each) on self-compassion concepts and applications, along with 14 guided audio meditations (approximately 6 minutes each). The meditation practice involves breathing meditation for the first 3 days, followed by 11 days of loving-kindness meditation. This intervention has been shown to effectively promote self-compassion in previous research.
Waitlist Control Group
Participants in this group received no intervention during the 14-day study period and were instructed to refrain from engaging in other meditation or mindfulness practices. They completed the same pretest, posttest, and one-month follow-up assessments as the intervention group. After the study concluded, participants in this group were offered access to the Positive Self online self-compassion course.
No interventions assigned to this group
Interventions
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Positive Self - 14-Day Online Self-Compassion Course
The Positive Self intervention is a 14-day online course designed to enhance self-compassion. The course includes 14 didactic videos (approximately 10 minutes each) on self-compassion concepts and applications, along with 14 guided audio meditations (approximately 6 minutes each). The meditation practice involves breathing meditation for the first 3 days, followed by 11 days of loving-kindness meditation. This intervention has been shown to effectively promote self-compassion in previous research.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Any gender.
* Recruited through online platforms.
* No restriction on educational background.
* Participants who regularly engage in online gaming and are willing to reduce or modify their gaming behaviors.
Exclusion Criteria
* Individuals with diagnosed psychiatric or psychological disorders.
* Individuals without problematic gaming behaviors or without a clear intention to change their gaming habits.
18 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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Beijing Normal University
OTHER
Responsible Party
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li,xinyi
Co-Investigator
Locations
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Beijing Normal University
Beijing, , China
Countries
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Other Identifiers
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202304140074
Identifier Type: OTHER
Identifier Source: secondary_id
202304140075
Identifier Type: OTHER
Identifier Source: secondary_id
BNU-poslab-IGD-2025
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id