Beate Wold Hygen

Beate Wold Hygen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education at the University of Agder (UiA). Her research focuses on the intersection of digital gaming, mental health, child/adolescent development, and social behavior. Key areas include gaming motivations, screen time effects, escapism in digital activities, and psychiatric comorbidity in youth.

Her work bridges psychology, behavioral science, and education, with publications in journals like Frontiers in Medical Technology, Computers in Human Behavior, and European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She has conducted longitudinal studies on gaming’s impact on athletic self-esteem, social competence, and psychiatric symptoms. Recent projects include analyzing gaming’s role in adult well-being and the effects of pandemic-induced digital media use on adolescents.

Hygen frequently engages with media and policy discussions, addressing myths about gaming and advocating for evidence-based approaches to screen time and child development. Her collaborative research often involves international teams and interdisciplinary perspectives.