No game, more pain - Examining possible long term effects and underlying mechanisms of habitual violent video gaming on the acquired capability for suicide. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Förtsch, E.-M.A.D.; Baumgart, P.; Teismann, T.; Ruscheweyh, R.; Hasenbring, M.I.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 295(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Violent video games -- Pain tolerance -- Pain habituation -- Opponent processes -- Suicide; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113512
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Highlights: Habitual violent video gamers (HVVGs) show less fearlessness about death. Pain tolerance is higher HVVGs than in non-gamers. Habituation and opponent processes seem to be underlying mechanisms. Violent video gaming might affect the acquired capability for suicide. Abstract: According to Joiner`s interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide repeated engagement in suicidal behavior or so-called painful and provocative events constitutes the acquired capability for suicide (ACS) comprising two facets: enhanced pain tolerance and fearlessness about death (FAD). Recent research showed that single bouts of violent-video-gaming (VVG) increase pain tolerance. It is unknown whether individuals who habitually play VVGs at a high frequency rate show higher signs of ACS in terms of low pain sensitivity, high tolerance and lowered FAD compared to non-gamers. In a cross-sectional case-control study, we compared pain sensitivity and tolerance during a 5-min Cold-Pressor-Test (CPT) besides FAD in young males, playing VVGs highly frequent ( n = 18) vs. non-gamers ( n = 17). Mood was rated before and after the CPT. We found higher CPT-pain tolerance, lower intensity ratings and higher FAD scores among gamers compared to non-gamers. A significant time x group interaction of pain ratings indicated a process of habituation in the gamers. An increase of positive mood in the gamers emphasizes the role of opponent processes. The results suggest that habitual VVG might reflect a repetitive behavior enhancing the ACS.