Does video game playing stimulate mindfulness?

Abstract

The video game industry is a thriving sector where the effects derived from its consumption are studied, among other aspects. This research analyzes the possible incidence of commercial video games on the mindfulness trait of players. To this end, a survey was carried out on a sample, mostly Spanish, of 225 people aged 17 to 66 years. The measure used to assess the mindfulness trait is the Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Among the main results obtained, the length of time spent playing video games is slightly and directly associated with a higher mindfulness trait among non-meditating players. On the other hand, a positive association is also detected between the greater experience with video games, except for meditating players, with the FFMQ dimensions: not-judging inner experience dimension (particularly strong correlation in ADHD players), describing and non-reactivity to inner experience dimension.