Adolescent Aggression: A Narrative Review on the Potential Impact of Violent Video Games

Borrego Ruiz, Alejandro; Juan J. Borrego

Publicación:
Adolescent Aggression: A Narrative Review on the Potential Impact of Violent Video Games

dc.contributor.author	Borrego Ruiz, Alejandro
dc.contributor.author	Juan J. Borrego
dc.date.accessioned	2025-07-04T09:23:05Z
dc.date.available	2025-07-04T09:23:05Z
dc.date.issued	2025-02-18
dc.description	La versión registrada de este artículo, publicado por primera vez en Psychology International, 7(1), 12, está disponible en línea en el sitio web del editor: https://doi.org/10.3390/psycholint7010012. The registered version of this article, first published in Psychology International, 7(1), 12, is available online from the publisher's website: https://doi.org/10.3390/psycholint7010012.
dc.description.abstract	Background: Exposure to violent content through video games can shape perceptions of aggression as normative or acceptable, potentially desensitizing adolescents to violence and increasing the likelihood that they will engage in aggressive behavior in their real-world interactions. This narrative review examines the relationship between violent video games (VVGs) and youth aggression, addressing (i) VVG exposure through the lens of Social Learning Theory and the General Aggression Model; (ii) the biological determinants of aggressive behavior, including neurophysiological correlates and the potential modulatory role of the gut microbiome; (iii) and current evidence on the influence of VVG exposure on adolescent aggression. Results: VVG exposure may promote moral disengagement and reinforce aggressive behavior through rewarding violent actions, potentially leading to real-life aggression. Exposure to VVGs increases aggression by elevating cortisol levels, activating the sympathetic nervous system, stimulating the brain’s reward system, and disrupting neurotransmitter balance. Alterations in gut microbiome composition could occur as a result of engaging in VVGs, potentially mirroring the physiological responses observed in violent real-world activities. The relationship between VVGs and aggression among adolescents has been widely explored, with studies generally indicating that VVG exposure can lead to desensitization to violence, reduced empathy, and diminished prosocial behavior. VVGs have also been linked to both bullying perpetration and victimization dynamics among adolescents, contributing to mental health issues, which in turn exacerbate problematic gaming behaviors. Conclusions: While there is evidence suggesting that exposure to VVGs is associated with increased adolescent aggression, discrepancies in the literature highlight the need for further research aimed at improving our understanding of this phenomenon. The studies on this topic reveal significant limitations, including a predominance of cross-sectional designs, methodological shortcomings, small sample sizes, and challenges in generalizing results. Factors such as the developmental stages of the participants, the exclusion of females, and unmeasured variables during long follow-up periods further complicate interpretations. Moreover, parental responsibility and the effectiveness of age ratings require closer examination.	en
dc.description.version	versión publicada
dc.identifier.citation	Borrego-Ruiz, A.; Borrego, J.J. Adolescent Aggression: A Narrative Review on the Potential Impact of Violent Video Games. Psychol. Int. 2025, 7, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/psycholint7010012
dc.identifier.doi	https://doi.org/10.3390/psycholint7010012
dc.identifier.issn	2813-9844
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14468/27006
dc.journal.issue	12
dc.journal.title	Psychology International
dc.journal.volume	7
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher	MDPI
dc.relation.center	Facultad de Psicología
dc.relation.department	Psicología Social y de Las Organizaciones
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights.uri	Atribución 4.0 Internacional
dc.subject	61 Psicología::6114 Psicología social
dc.subject.keywords	violent video games	en
dc.subject.keywords	adolescents	en
dc.subject.keywords	aggressive behavior	en
dc.title	Adolescent Aggression: A Narrative Review on the Potential Impact of Violent Video Games	en
dc.type	artículo	es
dc.type	journal article	en
dspace.entity.type	Publication
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