A typology of adolescent online gamers. Part I

Abstract

Introduction: For several years now, there has been an increased interest on the part of psychiatrists, pediatricians, psychologists, specialists in education, and sociologists in the issue of so-called behavioral addictions, which include Internet addiction and computer gaming addiction. The aim of this study was to draw a typology of Internet gamers. Material and methods: The examined group and method: The study involved 576 individuals aged 16 to 19 years. The participants were surveyed using an Inquiry Form and the Online Gaming Addiction Questionnaire designed by the present authors. Results: The participants of this study were divided into four types of online gamers: gamers who scored the highest on the KBUGI scales and items corresponding to the DSM-5 criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder (Type 1); gamers who mostly played violent online games in which the player kills his enemies, destroys things, breaks traffic rules, and experiences power and new sensations (Type 2); individuals who played mainly to eliminate the feeling of boredom, enhance their mood and experience pleasure, new sensations and rivalry (Type 3); and people who only played occasionally and were not at risk of Internet gaming addiction (Type 4). Conclusions: The four groups included gamers severely addicted to gaming; gamers who played violent games to satisfy their need for aggression (moderate Internet gaming addiction); gamers who played mainly to eliminate boredom and seek new stimuli (mild Internet gaming addiction); and non-addicted gamers.