Self-Compassion and Problematic Gaming: A Randomized Trial

Beijing Normal University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Self-Compassion; Problematic Gaming

Treatments: Behavioral: Positive Self - 14-Day Online Self-Compassion Course

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07270315

202304140074 (Other Identifier)

BNU-poslab-IGD-2025

202304140075 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study investigates the impact of self-compassion on reducing problematic gaming behaviors among young adults. Problematic gaming has been linked to anxiety, depression, and social dysfunction, and this study aims to assess how self-compassion can address these issues. The study explores the role of basic psychological needs and social anxiety as mediators in this process.

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.

Enrollment: 308 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals aged 18 years or older.
• 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 under 18 years old or those lacking full civil capacity.
• Individuals with diagnosed psychiatric or psychological disorders.
• Individuals without problematic gaming behaviors or without a clear intention to change their gaming habits.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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308 participants in 2 patient groups

Self-Compassion Intervention Group

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Positive Self - 14-Day Online Self-Compassion Course

Waitlist Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

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.