The Role of Avoidance Coping and Escape Motives in Problematic Online Gaming

A Systematic Literature Review

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15440931
AutoresFiordalisa Melodia (University of Padua, autor correspondente), Natale Canale (0000-0002-6032-0490, University of Padua), Mark D Griffiths (0000-0001-8880-6524, Nottingham Trent University)
Ano2020
Volume20
Fascículo2
Páginas996-1022
Data de publicação2020-11-30
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Mental Health and Addiction (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1557-1874 • E-ISSN: 1557-1882
EditoraSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s11469-020-00422-w
OpenAlexW3108537090
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas84
Referências citadas74

Over the past two decades, research into Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has markedly increased due to worldwide spread of online videogames. The reasons and motivations for playing greatly contribute to its popularity. Escapism and avoidance coping strategies have been studied extensively and conceptualized as motives to play. A growing research base has demonstrated a strong association between these motives to play and negative gaming outcomes. Consequently, the aim of the present systematic review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of avoidance coping and escape motives in problematic online gaming. A systematic literature search was carried out using academic databases and a total of 26 empirical studies met the inclusion criteria. The results show that escapism and avoidance coping represent both a predictor of IGD and play a mediating role between many psychological factors (e.g., self-esteem, loneliness, self-concept, anxiety) and problematic online gaming. However, the review also highlights the paucity of longitudinal studies that hinder the determination of the causal direction of these associations. Despite this limitation, the evidence has important implication for developing more effective prevention programs and clinical interventions

Anxiety · Avoidance coping · Coping (psychology · Escapism · Health psychology · Loneliness · MEDLINE · Popularity · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Public health · Systematic review · Child Development and Digital Technology · Clinical Psychology · Digital Games and Media · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology