Investigating psychological causes and consequences of playing in online gaming communities: The roles of offline and clan-based need satisfaction

Reer Felix, Krämer Nicole C.

Research article (journal)

Abstract

Studies found that using digital media can satisfy the needs for competence, autonomyand relatedness, contributing to well-being and enjoyment. Further, needsatisfaction in daily life has been identified as a background factor that may influencethe intensity of media usage, as well as the psychological outcomes connectedto it. Considering both perspectives, the current analysis investigates the causesand consequences of playing in online gaming communities. Specifically, weexamine persistent groups of players (‘clans’) formed in the context of the online first-person shooter game Counter-Strike. Based on an online survey among 585clan players, structural equation modelling shows that need satisfaction in clansrelates to increases in clan engagement, increases in positive affect and decreasesin negative affect. Further, players with deficits in day-to-day need satisfactionshow increased engagement in their clan, but also experience more negative affectand less need satisfaction in their clans.

Details zur Publikation

Release year: 2020
Language in which the publication is written: English