Understanding the lives of problem gamers: The meaning, purpose, and influences of computer gaming
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Highlights
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- Gaming is meaningful and purposeful activity for problem gamers.
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- Computer gaming offered both positive and negative experiences in gamers' lives.
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- Negative experiences mainly resulted from using video games as a coping mechanism.
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- Individual and external influences push and pull on the amount of gaming.
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- The push and pull influences on gaming can occur in real-life or virtually.
Abstract
Currently,
a full appreciation of how problem gaming impacts the daily lives of
gamers is lacking. This study aims to gain a more holistic understanding
of the activities in the daily lives of problem gamers; particularly,
what is important to them, what motivates gaming, and what
supports/constraints engagement in other life activities. Semi-structured interviews
and week-long activity logs were used to collect data from the 16
problem gamers in five countries. Qualitative data were analyzed
thematically. Two main themes emerged. First, gaming was found to be a
meaningful and purposeful activity. Participants in this study
understood what activities offered them a sense of meaning and personal
growth. Video gaming offered both positive and negative experiences in
gamers’ lives. The negative experiences mainly resulted from using video
games as a coping strategy
for other life stressors. Second, individual, interpersonal, and
environmental influences acted simultaneously to push and pull on the
amount of gaming. The push and pull influences on the amount of gaming
can occur in real-life or virtually. Assistance for problem gamers could
include minimizing/removing the pull forces and obtaining adequate push
forces to enable their desired participation in daily activities.
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