Il gioco online problematico: uno studio esplorativo

Abstract

The use of digital environments and technologies has attracted the interest of scholars from various disciplines, including social psychologists. This contribution aimsto explore the relationship between self and problematic online gaming, as well as the mediating role of body image and identification with the avatar. The study involved 114 online gamers (65.8% male) aged 18-50 years (M = 23.05, SD = 2.78), all residing in Italy. Participants completed self-report scales to assess the self, body image perception, tendency to identify with the online game avatar, and the risk of problematic online gaming. Results from correlation and multivariate analyses indicate that low levels of self, increased problematic video game risk, and negative body image perception. Identification with the avatar positively affects problematic online gaming. Additionally, it was found that self indirectly affects problematic online gaming only through avoidance, a coping strategy related to body image.