Pursuing virtual perfection: Preoccupation with failure mediates the association between internalized parental criticism and gaming disorder

Abstract

The present study examines the potential roles of perfectionism and reactions to failure in understanding gaming disorder. Specifically, we investigate whether parental perfectionism predisposes players to risk of gaming disorder through internalized perfectionism and maladaptive reactions to failure. Hungarian gamers (N = 2,097, 88.5% male, Mage = 26.2 years, SD = 6.8) completed an online survey measuring perfectionism (parental and self-oriented), reactions to failure in gaming, and gaming disorder. Initially, we developed the Reactions to Failure in Gaming Scale and established its psychometric properties. Subsequently, we constructed a path model using a structural equation modeling technique. Parental criticism was associated with over-engagement with failure via the indirect path of self-critical perfectionism, which was positively associated with gaming disorder. In addition, higher parental expectations were associated with disengagement from failure via narcissistic perfectionism, while parental criticism was associated with disengagement through self-critical perfectionism. The model explained a substantial proportion (42%) of the total variance of gaming disorder, indicating that parental criticism and self-critical perfectionism have key roles in ruminative responses to failure in gaming. These results suggest that critical parental and personal attitudes towards performance and over-engagement with failure make fundamental contributions to the development of addictive gaming behaviors.