The serial mediation effects of body image-coping strategies and avatar-identification in the relationship between self-concept clarity and gaming disorder: A pilot study

Rocco Servidio, Mark D Griffiths, Stefano Boca, Zsolt Demetrovics

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
2 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Gaming disorder (GD) has been recognized as a mental health problem, resulting in adverse and psychosocial consequences. Although previous evidence suggests poorer self-concept clarity (SCC) and avatar identification are associated with GD, less is known about the mediating role of body-image coping strategies (appearance-fixing and avoidance, a form of escapism) in this relationship. A total of 214 Italian online gamers (64 % males) were anonymously recruited online by posting the survey link on social media gaming forums and other online sites. The participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 59 years (M = 24.07 years, SD = 5.19). The results of the correlational analysis showed that SCC was negatively related to GD, whereas body coping strategies and avatar-identification were positively associated with GD. Avoidance fully mediated the association between SCC and GD. Moreover, appearance-fixing and avatar-identification were full serial mediators between SCC and GD. Overall, the results of the present study suggest potential pathways for understanding the underlying determinants of GD, which can help in the design of intervention programs to help reduce the risk of GD among players.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100482
Number of pages5
JournalAddictive Behaviors Reports
Volume17
Early online date20 Jan 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Avatar Identification
  • Body Image-Coping
  • Gaming Disorder
  • Self-Concept Clarity

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