Effects of Violent Online Game Playing on Aggressive Behavior: A Case Study of Lower Secondary School Students in Nakhon Hat Yai Municipality, Songkhla Province

Abstract

This research aimed to study online game playing behavior, factors related to online game playing and effects of violent online game playing on aggressive behavior of lower secondary school students in Nakhon Hat Yai Municipality, Songkhla Province. The subjects were 405 Matthayomsuksa 1-3 (Grade 7-9) students. The instrument use was a questionnaire inquiring about the general information, online game playing behavior and aggressive behavior. The data were analyzed using SPSS and the statistics used were frequency, percentage, mean, SD, Chi-square and Multiple Regression Analysis.

            The results of the study showed that the subjects had moderate level of aggressive behavior and high level of fighting-game playing. Most of them had played online games for more than 2 years. They played online games 2 hours each time, 3-4 times a week, mostly on weekends and the expense in playing online game was less than 100 baht/week. It was also found that sex, level of study, time spent in playing the games, the time of the day and the type of game they played were significantly related to their aggressive behavior, and that the level of violent game playing, playing games with strangers, playing games at a friend’s home and sex could significantly and positively predict the students’ aggressive behavior at 78.7%