Abstract
BackgroundVideo games are expanding exponentially with their increased popularity among users. However, this popularity has also led to an increase in reported video game addiction. There may be consumer engagement–related factors that may influence video game addiction.ObjectiveThis study aims to empirically examine the impact of the dimensions of consumer video game engagement on video game addiction. The dimensions are dedication, absorption, conscious attention, social connection, enthusiasm, and interaction. We utilize the uses and gratifications theory to study the video game engagement dimensions as potential factors through which gamers feel gratified and engaged in video game playing. Additionally, this study incorporates the cultivation theory to investigate how video game engagement factors trigger video game addiction.MethodsA two-step process was applied for data analysis on valid cases of 176 gamers aged 15-25 years: video game addiction was specified and validated as a reflective-formative construct, and hypothesis testing was later performed using the WarpPLS on valid respondents.ResultsThe analysis uncovered 2 dimensions of video game engagement: social connection with P=.08 and interaction with P=.49, which did not significantly contribute to video game addiction.ConclusionsThis study offers unique insights to a myriad of stakeholders, mostly psychologists and psychiatrists, who routinely prescribe behavior modification techniques to treat video game addiction.
Highlights
BackgroundVideo games are one of the most popular forms of leisure activities, especially for youth across the world [1]
This study extends the application of Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) as studied in media, video game, and social media [30,31] and Cultivation Theory toward developing a theoretical model that explains the role of video game engagement dimensions in predicting video game addiction
For H2, the results revealed a significant impact of absorption on the consumer video game addiction with B=0.215, P=.002, and t statistics of 2.98 with f2>=0.113
Summary
Video games are one of the most popular forms of leisure activities, especially for youth (as well as other age groups) across the world [1]. Video game engagement has surpassed other forms of new media such as music and television owing to the rapid development of the digital gaming industry [3]. Video game addiction can cause gamers to develop a range of issues such as aggression and depression [6,7], poor academic performance [8,9], declining relations with friends and families [10,11], insomnia [12], and even self-harm [13,14]. Video games are expanding exponentially with their increased popularity among users. This popularity has led to an increase in reported video game addiction. There may be consumer engagement–related factors that may influence video game addiction
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