Factors influencing gameplay intention and gaming disorder in online games: an extended UTAUT2 with the moderating effects of game genres, media, and gender
Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Digital games have become a central part of youth culture, offering entertainment, competition, and social connection, but frequent gaming among Chinese university students also raises concerns about internet gaming disorder (IGD). Current studies rarely integrate technology acceptance and behavioral health perspectives, leaving unclear how normal gameplay intention may evolve into excessive use. This study extends the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) to examine gameplay intention and IGD among Chinese university students. The model integrates five additional constructs, including flow experience, social interaction, emotion coping, attitude, and self-efficacy, and explores the moderating roles of game genre, media platform, and gender. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among university student gamers in China, and data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), multi-group analysis, and Measurement Invariance of Composite Models (MICOM). The findings show that hedonic motivation and habit were the strongest predictors of gameplay intention, while performance expectancy and effort expectancy showed limited influence. The added constructs enhanced the model’s ability to explain both engagement and potential IGD risk, and subgroup differences revealed that motivation patterns vary by context. The study contributes to theory by testing the boundaries of UTAUT2 in hedonic and emotionally driven environments and bridging user acceptance with behavioral addiction research. Practically, the findings support experience-centered game design, adaptive policy strategies, and digital wellness programs that promote autonomy, fairness, and self-regulation among student gamers.
Author: Liu, Yixuan
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7217483728