Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction This study explores motivations for the use of video games in coping, using the twin theoretical lenses of mood management and stress response theory, as well as how individual differences in motivational orientation moderate emotional regulation. The role of genres in selective exposure and the extent to which this overlaps with individual motivations for play are also addressed. Methods An exploratory survey ( N = 348) was conducted to gather data on respondents’ personalities, gameplay habits, motivations, genre preferences, coping strategies, and emotional states. Results Gameplay as coping was found to be quite widespread, and associations were found between this behavior and respondents’ motivations for gaming in general, as well as with individual differences related to immersion. Motivational orientations towards narrative involvement, social interaction, and escapism were likewise associated with using games to cope with stress, while the regulatory effects of gameplay were also found to be moderated by players’ orientation towards autonomy and exploration. Discussion These findings suggest that individual differences in immersive tendencies and motivational orientations play a crucial role in determining when and how video games serve as effective tools for emotional regulation and coping with stress.
Source: Frontiers in Communication
Institutions: Boston University, University of Warsaw
Language: English
Topic: Digital Games and Media
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,418
OpenAlex ID: W4417042198