Parents' Perspectives on Lifestyle Changes among Video Game-Addicted Teenagers Attending the Child Psychiatric Clinic at Colombo South Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Video game addiction among teenagers has become an increasing global concern, with significant potential impacts on various aspects of their lives. This study describes the perspectives of parents whose teenagers are undergoing treatment for video game addiction at the Child Psychiatric Clinic of Colombo South Teaching Hospital (CSTH). The objective of this study wasto explore parental viewpoints on the lifestyle changes experienced by teenagers affected by video game addiction at the
Child Psychiatric Clinic of CSTH. Methods: Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with parents to gain a deeper understanding of the observed lifestyle changes of children aged 13 to 19 years who registered in the clinic with a confirmed diagnosis of video game addiction. Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of CSTH. Braun and Clarke's six-phase reflexive thematic analysis framework was employed to identify recurring themes related to physical, psychological, and interpersonal relationship changes. Results: The findings highlighted several key issues associated with video game addiction, including altered dietary patterns, avoidance of studies and physical activities, social isolation, weakened interpersonal relationships, disrupted sleep patterns, impaired physical development, and significant mental health challenges. Conclusion: Parents’ insights revealed wide-ranging effects of video game addiction on teenagers, spanning physical health, psychological well-being, and social interactions. These findings highlight the complex nature of the issue and emphasize the urgent need for holistic interventions to support affected youth and promote healthier living habits.
Keywords: Video game addiction, Parents' perspectives, lifestyle changes