INTERNET GAMING EXPERIENCES OF NURSING STUDENTS IN METRO MANILA DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

During the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic, internet gaming has served as entertainment and activity, in some ways even an escape into the virtual world. This study explores the internet gaming experiences of nursing students in Metro Manila on how internet gaming was utilized during the pandemic. This would also provide awareness with regard to the experiences of the nursing-student gamers to understand whether internet gaming is a positive or negative type of activity in terms of coping for nursing-student gamers during this pandemic. The study’s methods began with conducting an interview consisting of 12 participants using a semi-structured interview. Colaizzi’s Method was used for the data analysis, which led the researchers to come up with four emergent themes (1) Incorporating Internet Gaming into Daily Lives (2) Internet Gaming and its Psychosocial Implication (3) Internet Gaming in Emotional Stability (4) Internet Gaming Interfering in the Patterns of Functioning. As a result, gaming activity impacts its users’ psychological and social aspects as they encounter various types of players in the gaming space. Considering these findings, the researchers conclude that internet gaming during pandemic exposes nursing students to greater negative encounters than pleasant experiences.

Keywords: Internet Gaming, Experiences, Nursing, COVID-19, Pandemic.