The Relationship between Depressive Symptoms, Loneliness, Self-Control, and Gaming Disorder among Polish Male and Female Gamers: The Indirect Effects of Gaming Motives

Andrzej Cudo (), Marcin Wojtasiński, Przemysław Tużnik, Agnieszka Fudali-Czyż and Mark D. Griffiths
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Andrzej Cudo: Institute of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, al. Racławickie 14, 20950 Lublin, Poland
Marcin Wojtasiński: Institute of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, al. Racławickie 14, 20950 Lublin, Poland
Przemysław Tużnik: Institute of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, al. Racławickie 14, 20950 Lublin, Poland
Agnieszka Fudali-Czyż: Institute of Psychology, The Pedagogical University of Krakow, ul. Podchorążych 2, 30084 Krakow, Poland
Mark D. Griffiths: International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-18

Abstract: The present study analyzed the relationship between gaming disorder (GD), motives for gaming, and psychological problems in daily life (i.e., depression, loneliness, and self-control deficits) among Polish gamers. More specifically, the purpose of the present study was to analyze the indirect effects between GD and psychological problems in daily life via motives for gaming among male and female gamers. Additionally, the present study examined gender differences in motives for gaming and the relationship between the analyzed variables. The sample comprised 652 gamers (233 females; M = 28.77 years; SD = 7.18; age range: 18–48 years). The nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Version (IGDS9-SF) was used to assess GD. The motives for gaming were assessed using the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ). The nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess depressive symptoms, and the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) was used to assess self-control. Loneliness was assessed using the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. In order to examine the relationship between the study variables, path analysis and indirect effects analysis were performed among both male and female gamers. The present study showed that depressive symptoms and self-control exerted a significant indirect effect on GD via escape and fantasy motives for gaming. Additionally, there was an indirect effect between depressive symptoms and GD via social motives for gaming. However, these indirect effects were found among male gamers only. The present study also showed gender differences in all analyzed gaming motives except escape (males scoring higher on all of them) and in the relationship between depressive symptoms and escape. These findings contribute to a better understanding of GD development mechanisms, which are associated with psychological problems in daily life.

Keywords: gaming; internet gaming disorder; gaming motives; depression; loneliness; self-control; gender differences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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