"I am lost in that reality, and I'm just playing the game": a qualitative study exploring gaming behaviour and its effect on young adults in India.

The current study aims to explore gaming behaviour among young adults in India and its effects on their physical and emotional health, productivity, interactions, and social life. Data were collected from 12 avid gamers through in-depth semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was conducted t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British Journal of Guidance & Counselling Vol. 54; no. 2; pp. 227 - 242
Main Authors: Sathiyaseelan, Anuradha, Balasundaram, Sathiyaseelan, Patangia, Bishal, M, Ashwini
Format: Article
Published: Taylor & Francis Ltd Apr2026
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Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Description
Summary:The current study aims to explore gaming behaviour among young adults in India and its effects on their physical and emotional health, productivity, interactions, and social life. Data were collected from 12 avid gamers through in-depth semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify the global theme and organise themes from the data. The global theme was the "exploration of contemporary gaming behaviour". The habit theme included the origin of the game, practice, and change over time, while the effects' theme focused on the physical and emotional health, productivity, interactions, and social life of young adults who engaged in gaming. The findings suggest that gaming behaviour has become an established habit among young adults in India, significantly affecting various aspects of their lives. The study highlights the need for increased awareness of the potential negative consequences of excessive gaming and emphasises the importance of moderation in gaming.