Purpose of the Research Study:

The purpose of this research study is to examine the effects of video game play on the symptoms of anxiety and depression.



Procedures:

By choosing to participate in this research study, you will complete a brief depression and anxiety instrument, a demographics questionnaire, and a survey. It will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete these items.



Participation Requirements:

In order to participate in this research study, you must be a video game player between the ages 18-35 and demonstrate some symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. You will not be receiving a clinical diagnosis of a mental health disorder by participating in this study. Symptoms include: stress, worry, irritability, restlessness, overwhelming fear, sadness, hopelessness, low self-esteem, fatigue, insomnia, or difficulty concentrating



Confidentiality and Anonymity:

All identifying information obtained by participating in this research study will be kept strictly confidential unless State or Federal law mandates disclosure. The results of this study may be used in reports, papers, presentations, and publications; however, any identifying information will be omitted or disguised to ensure confidentiality and anonymity.



Risks:

If you choose to participate in this research study, you may be asked questions about your symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Answering these questions may bring up uncomfortable or negative thoughts, emotions, and/or memories. If you do not wish to discuss these, you are not required to participate in the study and may withdraw at any time. In the event of such distress or if you would like to seek assistance, you may contact the researcher or thesis advisor listed below who can provide you with support, resources, and/or contact information for a mental health professional. You may be subject to additional risks that are not specified in this document. If you have any further questions or concerns regarding this research study and your participation, you should contact the researcher or thesis advisor.



Benefits and Compensation:

If you choose to participate in this research study, you will not receive compensation other than being entered into a random drawing to win one of three $25 gift cards to GameStop. You may develop increased self-awareness about any potential relationship between aspects of your gaming behavior and your symptoms or anxiety and/or depression, which could possibly help you in assessing the benefits and/or disadvantages of continuing your current gaming behavior. Furthermore, by participating in this research study you are helping advance valuable psychological research and understanding of how video game play affects one’s symptoms of anxiety and/or depression.



Freedom to Withdraw:

Participating in this research study is entirely voluntary and you retain the right to withdraw from participating at any point. Even if you agree to the terms of consent at this time, you may revoke your consent later on and will be withdrawn and excluded from the study.



Approval of the Research Study:

The Human Participants Review Committee of the Counseling Division of Denver Seminary has approved this study.