Personality traits, friendship development patterns, perceived similarity, and well-being in mobile gaming communities

Abstract

This study investigates the relationships among personality traits, friendship development patterns (online, offline, and mixed), friendship quality, perceived similarity, and well-being among mobile gamers. A total of 262 active gamers who had established friendships in gaming communities participated in this research. The findings indicate that offline and mixed-mode friendships are associated with higher levels of intimacy than are online-only friendships and that offline friendships are linked to higher levels of positive affect and support. Players reported perceiving more similarity with friends when they developed friendships offline rather than online. Perceived similarity was strongly related to friendship quality across all modes; context intimacy was identified as the most significant dimension of perceived similarity. Personality traits were observed to vary across modes. Offline and mixed-mode players attained higher agreeableness scores than did online-only players. Players who exhibited higher levels of extraversion reported better friendship quality in the online mode, particularly with respect to affect/help and intimacy. Players who exhibited higher levels of agreeableness reported better friendship quality in the offline and mixed modes, whereas higher conscientiousness was associated with greater affect/help in the online mode. In the context of well-being, the dimensions of affect/help and intimacy in online friendships were related to subjective well-being and psychological functioning. These findings highlight the importance of multimodal communication and personality-driven matchmaking systems in gaming communities with respect to meaningful and supportive relationships. This study also provides a basis for future research on the connections among gaming, social interactions, and emotional well-being.