Background and aims: The aim of this study was to identify problematic gaming behavior among Finnish adolescents
and young adults, and evaluate its connection to a variety of psychological, social, and physical health symptoms.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample of 293 respondents aged from 13 to 24
years. Participants completed an online survey. Problematic gaming behavior was measured with the Game
Addiction Scale (GAS). Self-reports covered health measures such as psychological health (psychopathological
symptoms, satisfaction with life), social health (preferences for social interaction), and physical health (general
health, Body Mass Index [BMI], body discomfort, physical activity). Results: Problematic gaming behavior was
found to relate to psychological and health problems, namely fatigue, sleep interference, depression and anxiety
symptoms. Multiple linear regression indicated that the amount of weekly gaming, depression and a preference for
online social interaction predicted increased problematic gaming symptoms. Conclusions: This research emphasized
that problematic gaming behavior had a strong negative correlation to a variety of subjective health outcomes.