Gaming in China Before the COVID-19 Pandemic and After the Lifting of Lockdowns: a Nationwide Online Retrospective Survey

With the lockdown and social distancing during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), gaming has become a popular leisure activity. This study aimed to explore changes in gaming behavior after the lifting of COVID-19 lockdowns and risk factors for increased gaming behavior. This online retrospective study included 5268 gamers. A total of 5% gamers scored 32 or higher on the 9-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), suggesting diagnosis of internet gaming disorder (IGD). Over one-third of gamers reported an increase in time spent on gaming per day after the lockdowns were lifted. Logistic regression analysis revealed that gamers who were female, students, experienced stress, or scored higher on IGDS9-SF were more likely to spend more time on gaming per day after the lifting of lockdowns. These findings highlighted the needs for more effective coping strategies or interventions to prevent excessive gaming, especially for females and students.

Automated summary

With the lifting of COVID-19 lockdowns, gaming behavior has changed with over one-third of gamers increasing their daily time spent on gaming. Female, student, stressed individuals, and those with higher scores on the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale are more likely to spend more time on gaming after the lockdowns are lifted. Therefore, more effective interventions are needed to help these individuals cope with excessive gaming.