The Effect of Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) Gaming on the Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress of Students

Authors

  • Elmer L. Belza Jr.

Keywords:

MOBA, mental health, depression, anxiety, stress, video games

Abstract

Much of the research on video games focused on the negative effects of playing them, particularly the violent ones. Relatively, few studies have examined the relationship of video gaming to mental health. That’s why this study was conducted to bridge the gap in the literature. This research investigated the relationship of an online video gaming termed as Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) on mental health in terms of depression, anxiety, and stress levels of students at the Bagumbayan National High School in Taguig City. The target sample respondents consisted of 346 students. Convenient sampling procedure was used to identify the sample size that was selected. Descriptive correlational research design was employed. Two instruments were used to gather data. The Game Addiction Scale developed by Lemmens, et al. in their study was used to determine whether the respondents are addicted to MOBA gaming or not. The 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) developed by Lovibond, et al. was used to determine symptoms of mental health problems. Descriptive statistics such as Mean, Standard Deviation, Inferential Statistics (t-test and ANOVA) and Pearson Moment Correlation were used to analyze the data. The study established that only twenty (20) students are addicted to MOBA gaming. Majority have normal levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Only 50 or 14.45% have mild depression while 11 or 3.18% have moderate depression, fifty eight or 16.76% have mild anxiety, and 11 or 3.18 % have moderate anxiety. On the stress levels, 14 or 4.05% have mild stress, and 1 or 0.29% has moderate stress. The results further showed that there was a significant difference on the depression levels of gamers. Similar results were obtained in the anxiety and stress levels of the respondents. Correlation results showed that MOBA gaming has low positive correlation with depression, anxiety, and stress. Depression and anxiety have moderate positive correlation, while anxiety and stress implied a high positive correlation. In the light of the findings, it is suggested that a comparative study be undertaken to further establish the influence of MOBA gaming on depression, anxiety, and stress levels as well as other symptoms of mental health.

Published

2018-09-18