Gaming motivations, avatar-self identification and symptoms of online game addiction

Abstract

This study conducted a survey of 217 adult game players in Hong Kong to explore the effects of gaming motivations and avatar-self identification on symptoms of online game addiction. Results show that avatar-self identification is positively associated with the problems and salience dimension as well as the uncontrollable game-play dimension of game addiction. The motivation to relax is positively related to perceived avatar-self identification and uncontrollable play; the motivation to socialize in online games is positively linked with the avatar-self identification and both symptoms of online game addiction. The motivation to escape is positively related to the symptom of problems and salience. The drive to achieve virtual accomplishment in online games is negatively associated with the problem caused by gameplay and the salience of online games.

Keywords:

• computer-mediated communication
• media effect
• survey
• Hong Kong

Acknowledgements

This study is supported by City University of Hong Kong, the Project 985 of Innovation Base for Journalism & Communication in the All-media Era, Sun Yat-Sen University, and the Department of Education of Guangdong Province in China (No. 17000-3211401-1013034).