Profiling gamers: The role of mental health, attachment and social factors in gaming behaviors

IF 3.6 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2025-05-22 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108390

Cátia Martins Castro , David Dias Neto

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Abstract

Background and Aims

This study examines the association of mental health, social and relational contexts, and gaming-related characteristics on the psychological profiles of video game players based on emotional regulation and motivations for gaming.

Methods

A multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted on an international sample of 5.255 gamers aged 16 to 69 (M = 25.6 years, SD = 6.46). Participants included 49.87 % men (M = 26.4, SD = 7.06), 43.24 % women (M = 25.1, SD = 5.77), and 9.29 % non-binary individuals (M = 23.3, SD = 5.24) from 112 countries. Mental health, attachment styles, social interactions, and gaming behaviors were analyzed into four profiles: avoidant, engaged, relational, and dysregulated.

Results

The avoidant profile, linked to older gamers, exhibited low distress, secure attachment, and offline social preferences, reflecting healthier habits. The engaged profile, the largest group, showed secure attachment and active integration of gaming into social contexts. The relational profile presented insecure attachment and emotional regulation difficulties. The dysregulated profile, associated with younger gamers, was characterized by high distress, emotional dysregulation, substance use, and a preference for online interactions.

Conclusions

The profiles dysregulated and relational are associated with insecure attachment and mental health difficulties, whereas the profiles engaged and avoidant are associated with secure attachment and low levels of psychological distress. These findings underscore the complex interplay of psychological, social, and gaming-related factors associated with gaming profiles, offering insights for further study on harm prevention and promoting non-problematic gaming behaviors.

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剖析玩家：心理健康、依恋和社交因素在游戏行为中的作用

背景和目的本研究基于情绪调节和游戏动机，探讨了电子游戏玩家心理特征与心理健康、社会和关系环境以及游戏相关特征之间的关系。方法对5.255名16 ~ 69岁的国际游戏玩家（M = 25.6岁，SD = 6.46）进行多元logistic回归分析。参与者包括来自112个国家的49.87%的男性（M = 26.4, SD = 7.06）， 43.24%的女性（M = 25.1, SD = 5.77）和9.29%的非二元个体（M = 23.3, SD = 5.24）。心理健康、依恋类型、社会互动和游戏行为被分析为四种类型：回避型、投入型、关系型和失调型。结果回避型与老年玩家相关，表现出较低的痛苦、安全依恋和离线社交偏好，反映出更健康的习惯。参与度最大的群体表现出安全的依恋关系，并积极地将游戏融入社交环境。人际关系表现为不安全依恋和情绪调节困难。与年轻玩家相关的失调特征是高度痛苦、情绪失调、物质使用和对在线互动的偏好。结论不安全依恋和关系型人格特征与不安全依恋和心理健康困难相关，投入型人格特征和回避型人格特征与安全依恋和低水平心理困扰相关。这些发现强调了与游戏相关的心理、社会和游戏相关因素的复杂相互作用，为进一步研究危害预防和促进无问题游戏行为提供了见解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.