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Maladaptive player-game relationships in problematic gaming and gaming disorder: A systematic review.
Journal article

Maladaptive player-game relationships in problematic gaming and gaming disorder: A systematic review.

  • King DL College of Education, Psychology & Social Work, Flinders University, Australia; School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Australia. Electronic address: daniel.king@flinders.edu.au.
  • Delfabbro PH College of Education, Psychology & Social Work, Flinders University, Australia; School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Australia.
  • Perales JC Department of Experimental Psychology, Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center, University of Granada, Spain.
  • Deleuze J Scientific Research and Publication Cell (CRPS), Le Beau Vallon, Namur, Belgium.
  • Király O Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
  • Krossbakken E Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
  • Billieux J Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Addictive and Compulsive Behaviours Lab, Institute for Health and Behaviour, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
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  • 2019-11-11
Published in:
  • Clinical psychology review. - 2019
Addiction
Gaming disorder
Problematic gaming
Structural characteristics
Video game
Adaptation, Psychological
Behavior, Addictive
Humans
Video Games
English While certain player vulnerabilities are known to increase risk of gaming disorder (GD), the topic of maladaptive player × game relationships in GD has received limited attention. This review aimed to: (1) identify game types associated with GD symptomatology; and (2) evaluate individual differences (e.g., age, personality, depression) in the relationship between gaming and GD symptomatology. A systematic review of six databases identified 23 studies of the relations between game types and GD, including 13 studies employing multivariate analyses. Player vulnerabilities implicated in GD included impulsivity, risk-taking, psychopathological symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety), and stronger gaming motivations (e.g., escapism, achievement). MMORPG involvement had the strongest positive association with GD. Problematic MMORPG players tend to have a socially anxious profile and may be attracted to the work-like roles and conventions of this genre. Problematic players of shooters tend to score higher on measures of sensation-seeking and impulsivity than other players. These findings suggest that GD may develop more readily and at more severe levels in complex, endless, socially driven games, irrespective of person-level characteristics. Some player vulnerabilities may selectively increase risk of GD for certain game types. Further research should investigate different player-game interactions to refine current models and interventions for GD.
Language
  • English
Open access status
closed
Identifiers
Persistent URL
https://sonar.ch/global/documents/44617
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