Exploring the Mediating Effect of Psychological Engagement on the Relationship Between Child-to-Parent Violence and Violent Video Games.

Abstract

Research into the effects of violent video games on levels of aggression has raised con-8 cerns that they may pose a significant social risk, especially among younger people. The objective 9 of this study was to analyze, through structural equation models, the mediating role of psycho-10 logical engagement in the relationship between the consumption of violent video games and 11 child-to-parent violence (CPV) against the mother and the father. The sample consisted of 916 12 students from 3rd and 4th grades of Compulsory Secondary Education, 1st and 2nd grades of High 13 School, and 1st cycle Vocational Training (483 males and 433 females), of whom a total of 628 were 14 video game players, aged between 13 and 19. Exposure to video games was assessed through an 15 author-elaborated questionnaire, engagement was evaluated with the Game Engagement Ques-16 tionnaire, and CPV was assessed through the Child-to-Parent Aggression Questionnaire. The 17 structural equation models indicated that exposure to violent video games was related to lower 18 rates of CPV against both parents. Conversely, the flow (a sense of being in control, being one with 19 activity, and experiencing distortions in the perception of time) dimension of engagement posi-20 tively correlated with the level of CPV against the mother, whereas the flow and absorption (total 21 engagement in the current experience) dimensions correlated with CPV against the father. In 22 conclusion, the results confirm the role of violent video game consumption, reducing CPV rates 23 against both parents, a role that is offset to the extent that these violent games provoke engagement 24 in the user.