Impact of Genres of Video Games on Quality of Sleep in Adolescents

Problem Statement

There is a problem in or with videogames having disruptive effects with the sleep in adolescents Despite increased research and understanding of the electronics including video games and their ill-effects on sleep, adolescence are still getting poor quality and less than recommended sleep. This problem has negatively impacted the total amount of sleep and quality that adolescents are getting because video games stimulate the brain keeping the adolescents up at night. A possible cause for the problem is the actual genre of video games because different games have different level of stimulation. Perhaps an experimental research of Bonney Lake High school students could remedy this situation.

Definitions and Variables

Quality of Sleep-Measured based on feelings of sleep rated between "Very Poor" and "Very Good"

“Very Poor” can be defined as feeling incredibly tired or fatigued, having extremely hard time staying awake, struggling to pay attention, having a more negative mood.

“Very Good” can defined as feeling well rested, alert, no feelings of fatigue, having a positive mood, focused. No sleep disorders or diseases.

The Question

What are the impacts of specific genre of video games on quality of sleep in adolescent (Freshman to Senior, high-school aged 14-18 years old)?

Assumptions/Hypothesis

I am assuming that based on previous research there will be an affect on the sleep quality of adolescents.

I hypothesis that each genre of game will have a different effect on quality of sleep but that the adventure genre video game will increase sleep quality due to its relaxing nature of the game.

Method of Inquiry

This research is an experimental study using a mixed-method analysis to explain if playing a certain genre of video game effects sleep quality in adolescents. For this method a survey that measure qualitative data is being quantified.

Researcher

Josef Babbitt

Class of 2019

Games Played

Rocket League (E-Sports)
Halo 5: Guardians (T-Violent Shooter)
Halo Wars 2: (T-Real Time Strategy)
ABZÛ-(E-Art/Adventure)

Requirements

Be able to play for 80 minutes without impacting normal schedule/activities
Owns Xbox and has access to Xbox Live and Game Pass

Significance and Value of Study

This importance of this research is how certain genres of video games affect sleep which can later be used to test certain characteristics of games and their effects on sleep. The research done can also be used to challenge the exaggerated stigma of video games and their effects on sleep. Additionally the research can be used to test video games as a therapeutic device for those who suffer from poor sleep.

Data/Results

Rocket League= 5.5
Halo Wars 2= 2.5
Halo 5= 6
Control= 5.5
ABZU= NA

Analysis

This research is among the first to test specific genres of video games and their effects if

any on the sleep quality in adolescents.What was found is that there are effects to the quality of

sleep based on the genres being played.

Implications

Good quality of sleep is vital to mental and physical health. Quality of sleep can affect mental disorder development and also predict the risk of coronary heart disease. Some games are already being used as a therapeutic device and this research can add on to the list of devices

Conclusion

What has been found is that different genres of video games will have a different effects on quality of sleep.
The Real Time Strategy game had a positive effect
Violent, action game had negative effects
The Sports game had no effect
As it stands my original hypothesis is rejected as no result was concluded for the adventure genre

Future Direction

Content Analysis- to determine correlations for why certain genres had the effects they did
More genres to test (Fighting, Survival)
Test of quantity of sleep as well (Sleep Lab)

Key Sources

Weaver et al., 2010 and King et al., 2013-

These were my two biggest sources as they provided me with the most context of what research has already been done around this topic as well as how my paper should be written. In essence I used these two source as my guidelines for majority of my research

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