To identify correlates that might constitute risk factors for problematic video game use (PVU) among urban Tunisian secondary school students.

This multivariate cross-sectional study was carried out on 587 secondary school students, aged 14 to 20 years. They were randomly selected from seven secondary schools in the urban area of Sfax. The self-administered Fisher's nine-item questionnaire was used in this survey. To identify an associated problematic internet use video game addiction, Young's eight-item questionnaire was used. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire covered socio-demographic, individual and family data.

The prevalence of PVU was 14.01%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found that the individual risk factors for problematic video game use were anxiety symptoms (P = 0.034) and an associated problematic Internet use (P < 0.001). Playing sport was a protective factor (P = 0.011). The poor relationships within the family (P = 0.001), the lack of parental supervision of time spent on playing video game (P < 0.001) and mother profession as mid-to upper level manager (P = 0.002), predicted PVU.

The identification of risk factors can help to determine individuals at high risk, and alert mental health providers to be careful to screen these patients for PVU. Total avoidance of the Internet is unrealistic and inadvisable; but a sensibilisation outreach for youth, their families and health professionals may help to limit the onset of PVU among young people.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.