Association between video game addiction, stress, and bruxism in adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background This study aims to examine the association between video game addiction stress levels, and both awake and sleep bruxism in adolescents. Given the increasing prevalence of digital addiction among young populations, understanding its potential impact on oral health is essential. Me...

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Main Authors: Ceylan Güzel, Fatma Dilek Erten, Ayda Seyidoğlu, Sümer Münevveroğlu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Oral Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06568-0
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author Ceylan Güzel
Fatma Dilek Erten
Ayda Seyidoğlu
Sümer Münevveroğlu
author_facet Ceylan Güzel
Fatma Dilek Erten
Ayda Seyidoğlu
Sümer Münevveroğlu
author_sort Ceylan Güzel
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This study aims to examine the association between video game addiction stress levels, and both awake and sleep bruxism in adolescents. Given the increasing prevalence of digital addiction among young populations, understanding its potential impact on oral health is essential. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 adolescents aged 10–19 years. Participants completed an online survey assessing video game addiction using the short form of the Digital Game Addiction Scale − 21 (DGAS-21), stress levels using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and bruxism through self-reported questionnaires based on the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) criteria. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and point-biserial correlation analysis. A significance level of p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The prevalence of video game addiction in the sample was 50.3% (n = 151), with males significantly more affected than females (p < 0.05). Participants with video game addiction exhibited higher stress levels compared to non-addicted individuals (p < 0.001). A statistically significant association was found between video game addiction and both awake bruxism (r = 0.31, p < 0.001) and sleep bruxism (r = 0.28, p < 0.001). However, stress levels were not significantly correlated with bruxism (p > 0.05), suggesting that factors beyond stress may contribute to this relationship. Conclusion These findings indicate that video game addiction is associated with an increased likelihood of both awake and sleep bruxism in adolescents. However, the nature of this relationship remains unclear. Further longitudinal and experimental studies incorporating objective bruxism assessments are necessary to clarify potential causal mechanisms. Preventive measures focusing on digital well-being and stress management strategies should be considered in adolescent healthcare interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-e73cd638ea1d48ff89408aaf88da50f02025-08-20T03:06:27ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-07-012511610.1186/s12903-025-06568-0Association between video game addiction, stress, and bruxism in adolescents: a cross-sectional studyCeylan Güzel0Fatma Dilek Erten1Ayda Seyidoğlu2Sümer Münevveroğlu3Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul Medipol UniversityDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol UniversityDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol UniversityDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul Medipol UniversityAbstract Background This study aims to examine the association between video game addiction stress levels, and both awake and sleep bruxism in adolescents. Given the increasing prevalence of digital addiction among young populations, understanding its potential impact on oral health is essential. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 adolescents aged 10–19 years. Participants completed an online survey assessing video game addiction using the short form of the Digital Game Addiction Scale − 21 (DGAS-21), stress levels using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and bruxism through self-reported questionnaires based on the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) criteria. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and point-biserial correlation analysis. A significance level of p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The prevalence of video game addiction in the sample was 50.3% (n = 151), with males significantly more affected than females (p < 0.05). Participants with video game addiction exhibited higher stress levels compared to non-addicted individuals (p < 0.001). A statistically significant association was found between video game addiction and both awake bruxism (r = 0.31, p < 0.001) and sleep bruxism (r = 0.28, p < 0.001). However, stress levels were not significantly correlated with bruxism (p > 0.05), suggesting that factors beyond stress may contribute to this relationship. Conclusion These findings indicate that video game addiction is associated with an increased likelihood of both awake and sleep bruxism in adolescents. However, the nature of this relationship remains unclear. Further longitudinal and experimental studies incorporating objective bruxism assessments are necessary to clarify potential causal mechanisms. Preventive measures focusing on digital well-being and stress management strategies should be considered in adolescent healthcare interventions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06568-0Awake BruxismSleep BruxismStress levelsVideo game addiction
spellingShingle Ceylan Güzel
Fatma Dilek Erten
Ayda Seyidoğlu
Sümer Münevveroğlu
Association between video game addiction, stress, and bruxism in adolescents: a cross-sectional study
BMC Oral Health
Awake Bruxism
Sleep Bruxism
Stress levels
Video game addiction
title Association between video game addiction, stress, and bruxism in adolescents: a cross-sectional study
title_full Association between video game addiction, stress, and bruxism in adolescents: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Association between video game addiction, stress, and bruxism in adolescents: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Association between video game addiction, stress, and bruxism in adolescents: a cross-sectional study
title_short Association between video game addiction, stress, and bruxism in adolescents: a cross-sectional study
title_sort association between video game addiction stress and bruxism in adolescents a cross sectional study
topic Awake Bruxism
Sleep Bruxism
Stress levels
Video game addiction
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06568-0
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