Factors Underlying Distressful and Recurrent Hallucinations, Perceptual Distortions, Dissociations and Impulses Associated with Playing Video Games

Abstract

Introduction

Failures in cognitive and behavioural inhibition are the core of mental disorders, but they are also part of everyday life. Research on Game Transfer Phenomena (GTP) has shown that images, sounds and thoughts from the game manifest, and involuntary actions toward game-related cues are performed, after playing. GTP is generally not associated with psychopathology, substance use, distress or dysfunction but a small number of gamers reported severe GTP (i.e. different types and frequently).

Aim

Understand the underlying factors (e.g. medical conditions, drugs, problematic/gaming addiction) associated with experiencing several episodes of particular GTP (e.g. hallucinations).

Methods

A total of 1,782 participants who experienced GTP “many times” or “all the time” was extracted from a larger sample recruited via an online survey. The 20 GTP-related items were categorized into: (i) hallucinations, (ii) distorted perceptions, (iii) dissociations, and (iv) urges/impulses.

Results

Pearson's Chi² test showed that: (i) 18–22-year-olds were more prone to experience several episodes of GTP and females were more susceptible to hallucinations; (ii) all four categories were associated with mental disorders and distress/dysfunction; (iii) drugs were associated with almost all categories with the exception of distorted perceptions; (iv) visual disorders were associated with hallucinations and dissociations; and (v) problematic/gaming addiction was associated with all categories except urges/impulses.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that individuals with mental disorders are more prone to experience several episodes of GTP, which can lead to distress/dysfunction. Substance use appears relevant but not for all manifestations of recurrent GTP. The relation between gaming disorder and GTP requires further investigation.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.