Virtually Real

Exploring Avatar Identification in Game Addiction Among Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG) Players

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2409586
AutoresYou (0000-0002-7779-7965, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, autor de correspondencia), Sukkyung You, Euikyung Kim (0000-0003-3356-3072, University of California, Santa Barbara), Donguk Lee (0000-0003-1676-1755, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies)
Año2017
Volumen12
Número1
Páginas56-71
Fecha de publicación2017-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaGames and Culture (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1555-4120 • E-ISSN: 1555-4139
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1555412015581087
OpenAlexW2317230710
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas32
Referencias citadas28

Research interest has increasingly focused on the psychosocial factors related to online game addiction. This study examines the relationship of various psychosocial variables to online game addiction, and the mediation effect of avatar identification on the relationship. Questionnaires assessing self-esteem, depression, social skills, game addiction, and avatar identification were completed by 163 third-year middle school students. Correlation and structural equation modeling analyses were conducted. Results indicated (a) that self-esteem and social skills had significant negative correlations with game addiction, while depression had a significant positive correlation with game addiction, (b) that depression had an indirect effect on game addiction via avatar identification, and (c) that social skills had both indirect (via avatar identification) and direct effects on game addiction. Implications and future directions are discussed

Addiction · Avatar · Developmental psychology · Identification (biology · Mediation · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Psychotherapist · Self-esteem · Social skills · Structural equation modeling · Child Development and Digital Technology · Clinical Psychology · Computer Science · Digital Games and Media · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Psychology · Social Psychology