Self-Compassion and Problematic Gaming: A Randomized Trial

NCT07270315 | Completed

• 3 other identifiers: BNU-poslab-IGD-2025202304140074202304140075
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 308
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Problematic Gaming; Self-Compassion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in problematic gaming behavior score after 14-day self-compassion intervention

  Participants' problematic gaming behavior was measured with an eight-item questionnaire adapted from Yang and Zhou (2004), a scale with established reliability and validity in Chinese samples. To match the intervention context, the term "video games" in the original items was replaced with "Genshin Impact" while maintaining the original semantic meaning. Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree; α = .82). Higher scores reflected more severe problematic gaming behavior.

  Baseline, post-intervention (Day 14), and one-month follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in self-compassion score after 14-day self-compassion intervention

  Baseline, post-intervention (Day 14), and one-month follow-up

• Change in basic psychological needs score after 14-day self-compassion intervention

  Baseline, post-intervention (Day 14), and one-month follow-up

• Change in social anxiety score after 14-day self-compassion intervention

  Baseline, post-intervention (Day 14), and one-month follow-up

Study Arms (2)

Self-Compassion Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

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

Waitlist Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

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.

Interventions

Positive Self - 14-Day Online Self-Compassion Course BEHAVIORAL

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.

Self-Compassion Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Beijing Normal University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Beijing Normal University

Beijing, China

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Co-Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 26, 2025
• First Posted: December 8, 2025
• Study Start: October 15, 2023
• Primary Completion: February 9, 2024
• Study Completion: April 21, 2024
• Last Updated: December 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

CN (1)