Materials

Relevance: The problematic use of video games in adolescents is increasing due to technological advances and to the fact that their characteristics allow satisfying the needs of this evolutionary stage. Among the negative consequences of this addiction are affectations to academic performance. The present research work was carried out with the objective of characterizing the use of video games and their relationship with academic performance in a sample of Cuban adolescents. Methods: A quantitative paradigm and a transversal non-experimental design (ex-post-facto) were assumed for the realization of the study. A stratified probabilistic sample was used consisting of 460 adolescents who were randomly selected, belonging to the secondary education levels in the municipality of Trinidad. The SPSS v.25.0 statistical package was used for data processing. Descriptive statistics were used based on frequency analysis, correlation analysis and group comparison tests. Results:The predominance of a recreational pattern in the use of video games was found. As the indicators of dependence on video games increase, academic performance decreases. There was evidence of higher indicators of addictive risk in female participants. The study allowed characterizing the use of video games and their relationship with academic performance in the sample studied.