Background and purpose: Continuous use of computer games can cause anxiety and depression in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between gaming and anxiety and depression in male students.
Materials and methods: In this correlational study, the research population included all high school students in Sari, Iran 2014-2015. The samples were selected based on Morgan table using cluster sampling (n=330). They were divided into three groups: a control group (group I) who did not play at all or were not familiar with computer games and two test groups who played at least 2 hours a week (group II) and played more than two hours a week (group III). Subjects responded to SCI-90-R and a demographic questionnaire. Data analysis was done in SPSS V20.
Results: There was a significant relationship between the level of gaming, anxiety, and depression (P<0.05). In other words the students who were more engaged with computer games showed significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression (P<0.05).
Conclusion: In this study, increased hours of computer games was associated with increased anxiety and depression, therefore, in order to maintain mental health and preventing psychological problems, parents are suggested to control the time of their children gaming.