Young Adults’ Perspectives on the Implications of an Augmented Reality Mobile Game for Communities’ Public Health: A Qualitative Study
Objectives: Several physical, psychological, and social health consequences are caused by smartphone users’ addiction to games. A location-based game (LBG), Pokémon GO, recently garnered significant attention from young people. This study aims to explore their experiences with this game and motivati...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605630/full |
| _version_ | 1828001820966912000 |
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| author | Yuk Chiu Yip Ka Huen Yip Wai King Tsui |
| author_facet | Yuk Chiu Yip Ka Huen Yip Wai King Tsui |
| author_sort | Yuk Chiu Yip |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives: Several physical, psychological, and social health consequences are caused by smartphone users’ addiction to games. A location-based game (LBG), Pokémon GO, recently garnered significant attention from young people. This study aims to explore their experiences with this game and motivations for playing, investigating their perspectives on the game’s implications for themselves and the public health of their communities.Methods: Ten qualitative focus group interviews were conducted. Young adults, aged 18–25 years (n = 60), were recruited in Hong Kong. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach.Results: Five themes emerged: 1) missing out or self-regulation, 2) childhood memories of Pokémon, 3) extending virtual-reality exploration, 4) spending more time outdoors walking and exercising, and 5) getting together with others and social interaction.Conclusions: This study showcases the motivational factors of young adults and their cohorts in societies worldwide. LBGs may impact players’ physical and social activity levels, and behavior. Nonetheless, certain negatives were identified (i.e., addiction and behavior resulting from a loss of self-control). These negatives deserve health practitioners’ attention and future studies should explore possible public health interventions |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T06:34:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-14f853dd6ff94d6dae4f7db5bfc18569 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-8564 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T06:34:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-14f853dd6ff94d6dae4f7db5bfc185692023-03-01T04:11:26ZengFrontiers Media S.A.International Journal of Public Health1661-85642023-03-016810.3389/ijph.2023.16056301605630Young Adults’ Perspectives on the Implications of an Augmented Reality Mobile Game for Communities’ Public Health: A Qualitative StudyYuk Chiu Yip0Ka Huen Yip1Wai King Tsui2Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaSchool of Health Sciences, Caritas Institute of Higher Education, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaSchool of Health Sciences, Caritas Institute of Higher Education, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaObjectives: Several physical, psychological, and social health consequences are caused by smartphone users’ addiction to games. A location-based game (LBG), Pokémon GO, recently garnered significant attention from young people. This study aims to explore their experiences with this game and motivations for playing, investigating their perspectives on the game’s implications for themselves and the public health of their communities.Methods: Ten qualitative focus group interviews were conducted. Young adults, aged 18–25 years (n = 60), were recruited in Hong Kong. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach.Results: Five themes emerged: 1) missing out or self-regulation, 2) childhood memories of Pokémon, 3) extending virtual-reality exploration, 4) spending more time outdoors walking and exercising, and 5) getting together with others and social interaction.Conclusions: This study showcases the motivational factors of young adults and their cohorts in societies worldwide. LBGs may impact players’ physical and social activity levels, and behavior. Nonetheless, certain negatives were identified (i.e., addiction and behavior resulting from a loss of self-control). These negatives deserve health practitioners’ attention and future studies should explore possible public health interventionshttps://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605630/fullqualitativelocation-based gamesgaming motivationyoung adultsgaming experiences |
| spellingShingle | Yuk Chiu Yip Ka Huen Yip Wai King Tsui Young Adults’ Perspectives on the Implications of an Augmented Reality Mobile Game for Communities’ Public Health: A Qualitative Study International Journal of Public Health qualitative location-based games gaming motivation young adults gaming experiences |
| title | Young Adults’ Perspectives on the Implications of an Augmented Reality Mobile Game for Communities’ Public Health: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Young Adults’ Perspectives on the Implications of an Augmented Reality Mobile Game for Communities’ Public Health: A Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Young Adults’ Perspectives on the Implications of an Augmented Reality Mobile Game for Communities’ Public Health: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Young Adults’ Perspectives on the Implications of an Augmented Reality Mobile Game for Communities’ Public Health: A Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Young Adults’ Perspectives on the Implications of an Augmented Reality Mobile Game for Communities’ Public Health: A Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | young adults perspectives on the implications of an augmented reality mobile game for communities public health a qualitative study |
| topic | qualitative location-based games gaming motivation young adults gaming experiences |
| url | https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605630/full |
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