The Relationship Between Digital Game Addiction and Levels of Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents Receiving Cancer Treatment.

BACKGROUND:Adolescents diagnosed with cancer are vulnerable to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress. OBJECTIVE:To examine the relationship between digital game addiction and levels of anxiety and depression in adolescents receiving cancer treatment. METHODS:This analytical cross-sectional study was carried out with 120 adolescents aged 12-17 years who were receiving cancer treatment. Data were collected using the Digital Game Addiction Scale (DGAS-7) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Data were analyzed using independent-samples t test, 1-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and simple linear regression. RESULTS:The mean age of the adolescents participating in the study was 15.21 ± 1.64 years. The mean DGAS-7 score was 15.19 ± 5.58, whereas the mean HADS Anxiety subscale score was 8.54 ± 4.33, and the mean HADS Depression subscale score was 7.72 ± 3.96. A positive, statistically significant relationship was found between the DGAS-7 mean score and the HADS Anxiety and Depression subscale mean scores (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS:As the addiction levels increased in adolescents diagnosed with cancer, their anxiety and depression levels also increased. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:Health professionals should be mindful that in adolescents diagnosed and treated for cancer, digital game addiction and levels of anxiety and depression may mutually reinforce each other.