The goals of this thesis were to assess the prevalence of problematic video gaming within the United States Marine Corps (USMC), identify the motivational factors that lead Marines to engage in video gaming, assess the effects of video gaming on Marines’ lives, and investigate whether Marines use video gaming as a maladaptive coping mechanism. Survey data (n = 1,098 Marines) were collected from three USMC commands. In total, 847 Marines (91%) reported playing video games. Recreation and coping with stress were the most frequently reported motivational factors for playing video games. Most gamers (91%) reported playing video games while at home/off duty. In contrast, 20% of gamers reported playing video games while on duty/in port and 36% reported playing video games while underway/deployed. In our sample, five Marines (2%) were classified as disordered gamers. Disordered gamers reported using dysfunctional coping styles more frequently than the rest of gamers. Disordered gamers reported more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety, higher levels of loneliness, elevated daytime sleepiness, and more symptoms suggestive of heavy drinking. These findings led to three recommendations: a) educate Marines on the risks of problematic video gaming and the factors associated with gaming addiction, b) educate Marines on sleep hygiene practices, and c) implement strategies to mitigate the effects of problematic video gaming.Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93940Lieutenant Junior Grade, United States NavyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited
