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Published on: November 9, 2019
Understanding Problematic Gaming Through Self-Determined Versus Non-Self-Determined Motivation: Two Mediating
Wenjing Pan1, Jikai Sun2, Zicheng Zhu3
1School of Journalism and Communication, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Problematic gaming has detrimental effects on individuals' mental and physical health. Adopting the self-determination theory as a theoretical framework and differentiating two types of game motivation (self-determined vs. non-self-determined), this study examined how these two types of game motivation may be oppositely associated with gamers' problematic gaming behaviors. By conducting a cross-sectional survey on massively multiplayer online video game players in China (n = 1,201), the current study found that individuals' self-determined motivation was negatively associated with their problematic gaming, while non-self-determined motivation positively predicted problematic gaming. Furthermore, these direct effects were mediated through individuals' harmonious passion and obsessive passion while playing games, respectively. Implications were discussed in terms of problematic gaming prevention and game design.
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