Online Multiplayer Gaming: mates, motives and mood.
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1
Department of Psychological Science, School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Australia
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2
Mental Health Nursing, School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Australia
With more than two-thirds of Australian adults and the majority of youth playing video games, video gaming addiction represents a growing public health concern. Some research indicates that the more someone plays video games, the more likely they are to experience poor psychological well-being, social withdrawal and features related to addiction. However, motivation research highlights that one of the reasons for engaging in online multiplayer gaming is to socialise. The aim of the current study was to explore the complex relationships among social motivations for online multiplayer video gaming and psychological well-being, and whether socialising during gaming relates to other social contexts. The effects of gender were also examined. 537 participants over 16 years old (M=27.2, SD=8.9) (19% female) completed an online survey about their gaming and social behaviour, and the likelihood of them continuing gaming under various circumstances. A modified, Online Gaming Motivations Scale was used with an author-designed estimate of social engagement. The ‘14-item, Scales of General Well-Being’ (14-SGWB) and the Australian version of the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) were also completed. Average SGWB-14 (M=50.2, SD + 11.2) and PWI scores (M=67.8, SD = 18.5) were within the normal range, and respondents’ descriptions of their behaviour indicated that the majority socialise with other players, during and outside the gaming environment. There were no significant differences between male and female multiplayer gamers in wellbeing or socialising, and motivation and socialisation were unrelated to wellbeing. The findings suggest that overall wellbeing in this sample of gamers was unrelated to their motives for gaming or reported social engagement, and therefore presumed risk for features of addictions.
Keywords:
video gaming,
Gamers,
motives,
mood,
Socialisation
Conference:
15th Annual Psychology Honours Research Conference , Coffs Harbour, Australia, 4 Oct - 5 Oct, 2018.
Presentation Type:
Research
Topic:
Abstract for 15th Annual Psychology Honours Research Conference
Citation:
Bradley
RM,
Donnelly
JF and
Hurley
J
(2019). Online Multiplayer Gaming: mates, motives and mood..
Front. Psychol.
Conference Abstract:
15th Annual Psychology Honours Research Conference .
doi: 10.3389/conf.fpsyg.2018.74.00006
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Received:
18 Sep 2018;
Published Online:
27 Sep 2019.
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Correspondence:
Mr. Richard M Bradley, Department of Psychological Science, School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, Australia, r.bradley.au@outlook.com
Dr. James F Donnelly, Department of Psychological Science, School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, Australia, jim.donnelly@scu.edu.au
Prof. John Hurley, Mental Health Nursing, School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, Australia, john.hurley@scu.edu.au