A Multivariate Analysis of Effects

The effects of violent video game exposure on youth aggression remain an issue of significant controversy and debate. It is not yet clear whether violent video games uniquely contribute to long-term youth aggression or whether any rela-tionship is better explained through third variables such as aggressive personal-ity or family environment. The current study examines the influence of violent video game exposure on delinquency and bullying behavior in 1,254 seventh-and eighth-grade students. Variables such as parental involvement, trait aggres-sion, stress, participation in extracurricular activities, and family/peer support were also considered. Results indicated that delinquent and bullying behavior were predicted by the child’s trait aggression and stress level. Violent video game exposure was not found to be predictive of delinquency or bullying, nor was level of parental involvement. These results question the commonly held belief that violent video games are related to youth delinquency and bullying