Avatar-mediated identity and life meaning orientations among internet users
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12944409 |
|---|---|
| Authors | M V Klementyeva (0000-0002-8712-9282, The Government of Russia, corresponding author), V I Ivanova (Tula State University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 50-58 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-30 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Cultural-Historical Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1816-5435 • E-ISSN: 2224-8935 |
| Publisher | Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (PUBLISHER • RU) |
| DOI | 10.17759/chp.2025210405 |
| OpenAlex | W7124281068 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 24 |
Context and relevance. In digital reality, the attachment of young Internet users to their avatar — the digital self-image — is linked to the search for life's meaning and the problematic pathway of identity development. However, little is known about the sign mediation mechanism associated with these phenomena. The theoretical basis of the research was cultural-historical theory, within which an attempt was made to interpret an avatar as a sign. Objective. To study the mediating role of the avatar in the development of virtual identity and life-meaning orientations. Hypothesis. The avatar identification characteristics mediate the connections between virtual identity, identification with the avatar, and life-meaning orientations. Methods and materials. The study involved 457 young Internet users of online platforms (M = 20,6, SD = 2,6, 67% female). The study measured the indicators of virtual identity (VISI), Purpose-in-Life Test, (PIL), avatar identification (IOS), and avatar identification characteristics (the “Who am I?” test with modified instructions). Results. The results showed that the social, physical, and reflective characteristics attributed to the avatar are mediators of the effects of the search for and acceptance of virtual identity on life-meaning orientations (Goals, Result, Locus of control) and avatar identification. This means that avatar-mediated identity enhances clarity in life goals and satisfaction with self-realization, while reducing the flexibility of meaningful control over behavior among Internet users. Conclusions. It has been shown that the semiosis of the avatar, mediating the preadaptive pathway of development of identity and life-meaning orientations, depends on the experience and gender of the Internet user. The materials can be used in the development of new methods of applying avatar technologies to foster the psychosocial well-being of young Internet users
Avatar · CLARITY · Identification (biology · Identity (music · Meaning (existential · Mediation · Sign (mathematics · The Internet · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Psychology of Development and Education · Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |