Effects of Temporary Abstinence and Expressive Writing on Gaming

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of a self-administered intervention combining temporary abstinence and expressive writing in addressing problematic gaming behaviours among young adult gamers in Singapore. It aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing problematic gaming behaviours and improving emotional and health-related outcomes (e.g., psychological distress, physical health status) among young adult gamers by comparing the outcomes among two groups: temporary abstinence with expressive writing group and control group

Participants have to attend an online briefing, complete a baseline survey, take part in a 7-day intervention, complete a post-intervention survey one day later and a 1-month follow-up survey.

• Online briefing: Participants attended an online briefing session where a member of the research team briefed them on the procedures, emphasised the importance of adhering to the intervention protocol, and addressed any questions that they might have.
• Baseline survey: Participants were asked to report on their sociodemographics and internet and gaming-related habits, as well as psychosocial characteristics. The baseline survey had to be completed on the same day as the online briefing.
• Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups and to take part in the intervention that lasted for 7 consecutive days. In the treatment group, participants were instructed to abstain from gaming for a period of 7 days and to engage in expressive writing exercises for 15 minutes every other day for a total of 4 sessions on Day 1, Day 3, Day 5, and Day 7 of the intervention. Participants typed their writings online using the Qualtrics platform. In the control group, participants were instructed to continue with their usual gaming routine and engaged in control writing exercises for the same number of sessions and duration across the same days.
• Post-intervention survey: Participants were asked to complete a subset of the baseline survey and a few questions about the intervention (e.g., manipulation checks, compliance).
• 1-month follow-up survey: Participants were asked to complete a similar set of questionnaires as the baseline survey 1 month after the completion of the post-intervention survey.

Inclusion criteria

• Singapore citizens/Permanent Residents
• Between 18 and 35 years old
• Play video games regularly (on average at least 7 hours per week)
• Able to read and write English
• Non-professional gamers
• Experience some problems with gaming, use gaming for emotional comfort
• Willing to temporarily take a break from gaming for 7 days

Exclusion criteria

• Non-Singapore citizens/Permanent Residents
• Below 18 or above 35 years old
• Do not play video games regularly (less than 7 hours per week)
• Unable to read or write English
• Professional gamers
• Experience no problems with gaming, does not use gaming for emotional comfort
• Unwilling to temporarily take a break from gaming for 7 days