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Associations between Gaming Motivations, Digital Life Balance, and Well-Being among Italian Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Video games can foster creativity, social connection, and stress relief, yet they may also lead to maladaptive patterns of digital engagement. Building on Self-Determination Theory and the construct of Digital Life Balance (DLB), this study examined how specific gaming motivations relate to both psychological well-being (flourishing) and individuals’ ability to maintain harmony between their online and offline activities. A sample of 285 Italian gamers participated in an anonymous survey assessing Psychological Motivations for playing Video Games, DLB, and flourishing scales. Correlational and multiple regression analyses revealed that avoidance-oriented motives (i.e., escapism, diversion, and habit) were negatively associated with both DLB and well-being, while motivations such as creativity, entertainment, fantasy/immersion, and social appeared neutral or adaptive. These findings suggest that links between gaming and well-being may differ according to players’ underlying motivations, with avoidance-oriented motives showing less favourable associations with both flourishing and DLB.

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.24090615

Authors: Gursesli, Mustafa Can, Macey, Joseph, Martucci, Alessia, Duradoni, Mirko, Sousa, Carla, Konstantinov, Vsevolod, Süngü, Ertuğrul, Bostan, Barbaros, Guazzini, Andrea, Hamari, Juho

Institutions: Tampere University, University of Tampere, University of Agder, University of Florence, Mercatorum University, Universidade Aberta, Bahçeşehir University

Language: English

Topic: Digital Games and Media

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7225616411

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