Network Analysis of the Relationship between Personality Traits and Online Behaviour in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Research on Dota 2 Players

Abstract

The paper presents additional results of the research project “Effects of personality traits on behavior in virtual reality games in adolescence and young adulthood”, carried out by the MSUPE Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Modern Childhood in 2015—2017. Research methods include the Q-Sort technique by W. Stephenson, the Butler-Haigh “Real and Ideal Test”, the Role Conflict Questionnaire developed by O.V. Rubtsova, and Adolescent Egocentrism scale (AES), R. Enright. The sample includes 103 active players of MOBA Dota-2 aged 14—25. The paper discusses statistical correlations, in particular, those identified on the basis of a network analysis of partial correlations. It is shown that such factors as role incompatibility and the need for role-playing experience can be manifested in virtual gaming activity and partly determine the specifics of its implementation by adolescent and young adults’ players.