Psychometric Properties of the Video Game Experiences Questionnaire (CERV), Problematic Use of Video Games and the Link with the Use of Mobile Devices in Mexican Children.

Unlabelled: When the use of video games is inappropriate in terms of time and content, it becomes a health risk. The objective of the present study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Video-Game-Related Experience Questionnaire (CERV), determine its problematic use and know the link between the use of mobile devices (MD) and Mexican children.

Methods: The study followed an instrumental and comparative design, with = 519 children. Of these, 61.5% were from Jalisco, and 38.5% were from Nuevo Leon. The sample consisted of 50.1% girls, with 39.7% and 33.7 were in sixth and fifth grade of primary school, respectively. The mean age of participants was 10.50 ± 0.94 years, with ages ranging from 9 to 13 years. In addition, 86.7% of children had access to a DM, 45.3% of children who had a DM used it to play, and 59.0% exceeded the recommended usage time of more than two hours. The Video-Game-Related Experience Questionnaire was used. For the factorial structure, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using the Diagonal Weighted Least Squares (DWLS) estimation method. The goodness-of-fit indices were as follows: chi-square value over degrees of freedom (/), CFI, NNFI, and RMSEA.

Results: The goodness-of-fit indices were shown as follows: / = 1.16; RMSEA = 0.018; SRMR = 0.048; CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.99; NNFI = 0.99. Acceptable reliability was found with both Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega greater than 0.80. Furthermore, 41.6% of participants had potential or severe problems with video game use, and the use of mobile devices (DMs) was significantly associated ( < 0.001) with potential or severe problems.

Conclusion: It is suggested that educational programs be implemented regarding the consequences of excessive video game use, the usage of DMs, and the importance of restrictive use per se for parents.