TY - JOUR
T1 - From active escapism to virtual withdrawal
T2 - Validation of the Compensatory-Dissociative Online Gaming scales (C-DOGs)
AU - Giardina, Alessandro
AU - Fournierorcid, Loïs
AU - Starcevic, Vladan
AU - King, Daniel L.
AU - Di Blasi, Maria
AU - Schimmentiorcid, Adriano
AU - Billieux, Joël
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - Background: In the Compensatory-Dissociative Online Gaming (C-DOG; Giardina et al., 2024) model, we proposed a continuum from compensatory to dissociative gaming involvement. This continuum represents different degrees of integration between physical and virtual environments with three core processes - Active Escapism, Escape, and Dissociation - and two peripheral processes - Gaming-Related Relaxation and Body-Mind Detachment. Here, we developed and tested a multidimensional measure based on this model. Method: We capitalized on existing items for measuring escapism and dissociation and we generated new items consistent with the hypothesized model dimensions. A total of 54 items were administered to 1,176 online gamers playing different game genres, together with measures of problematic gaming, passion for gaming, and other psychological distress indicators. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses yielded a six-factor, 36-item structure, with multiple hierarchical regression analyses highlighting unique associations with other psychological constructs assessed. Discussion: The following factors were identified: (1) Emotional Displacement - redirection of negative emotion into the game with associated relaxation; (2) Absorption - detachment of the player from time and space while gaming; (3) Active Escapism - simulative use of the game to compensate for lack of self-confidence in reaching physical life objectives; (4) Virtual Withdrawal - maladaptive gaming to balance impaired social functioning, predicted by traumatic experiences and pervasive depression; (5) Dissociative Regulation - dysfunctional level of engagement associated with excessive anxiety; (6) Failure Escape - problematic avoidance via gaming related to fear of future failures. Conclusions: The C-DOG factors identify critical psychological processes associated with problematic gaming, with relevant research and clinical implications.
AB - Background: In the Compensatory-Dissociative Online Gaming (C-DOG; Giardina et al., 2024) model, we proposed a continuum from compensatory to dissociative gaming involvement. This continuum represents different degrees of integration between physical and virtual environments with three core processes - Active Escapism, Escape, and Dissociation - and two peripheral processes - Gaming-Related Relaxation and Body-Mind Detachment. Here, we developed and tested a multidimensional measure based on this model. Method: We capitalized on existing items for measuring escapism and dissociation and we generated new items consistent with the hypothesized model dimensions. A total of 54 items were administered to 1,176 online gamers playing different game genres, together with measures of problematic gaming, passion for gaming, and other psychological distress indicators. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses yielded a six-factor, 36-item structure, with multiple hierarchical regression analyses highlighting unique associations with other psychological constructs assessed. Discussion: The following factors were identified: (1) Emotional Displacement - redirection of negative emotion into the game with associated relaxation; (2) Absorption - detachment of the player from time and space while gaming; (3) Active Escapism - simulative use of the game to compensate for lack of self-confidence in reaching physical life objectives; (4) Virtual Withdrawal - maladaptive gaming to balance impaired social functioning, predicted by traumatic experiences and pervasive depression; (5) Dissociative Regulation - dysfunctional level of engagement associated with excessive anxiety; (6) Failure Escape - problematic avoidance via gaming related to fear of future failures. Conclusions: The C-DOG factors identify critical psychological processes associated with problematic gaming, with relevant research and clinical implications.
KW - dissociation
KW - escapism
KW - gaming disorder
KW - measurement
KW - validation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85210993302&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1556/2006.2024.00059
DO - 10.1556/2006.2024.00059
M3 - Article
C2 - 39601788
AN - SCOPUS:85210993302
SN - 2062-5871
VL - 13
SP - 1028
EP - 1050
JO - Journal of Behavioral Addictions
JF - Journal of Behavioral Addictions
IS - 4
ER -