Online Multiplayer Gaming: mates, motives and mood.

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Online Multiplayer Gaming: mates, motives and mood. Richard M. Bradley1*, James F. Donnelly1* and John Hurley2* 1 Department of Psychological Science, School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Australia 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 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 18 Sep 2018; Published Online: 27 Sep 2019. * 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 Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Richard M Bradley James F Donnelly John Hurley Google Richard M Bradley James F Donnelly John Hurley Google Scholar Richard M Bradley James F Donnelly John Hurley PubMed Richard M Bradley James F Donnelly John Hurley Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.