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Individuals who have autistic-like traits, however who fall in need of a medical analysis, are vulnerable to problematic gaming, in accordance with a brand new Charles Darwin College (CDU) examine exploring what components can result in gaming issues.
The examine, “A mediation analysis of Autistic-like traits and gaming motivations on problem gaming symptoms: Are the effects of social and escape motives the same?” was revealed within the journal Addictive Behaviors Experiences.
Considerations over problematic video gaming have elevated in recent times, with almost one third of the worldwide inhabitants taking part in video games.
Researchers surveyed people to know how folks use gaming as an escape, reminiscent of from real-life stress, issues or unfavourable feelings.
Survey contributors performed video video games for at the very least one hour per week, with greater than half the respondents saying they interact in video video games for greater than 10 hours per week.
Co-authors and CDU Senior Lecturer in Psychology Dr. Mal Flack and Professor Kim Caudwell stated the outcomes had been helpful as a result of most present analysis targeted on problematic gaming with a medical focus, reminiscent of amongst these identified with autism spectrum dysfunction.
“We found that people with autistic-like traits (ALTs) were not as strongly linked to social motives as escape motives, but that both of these motives helped explain the link between ALTs and gaming,” Professor Caudwell stated.
“The findings suggest that those with higher ALTs may engage in gaming less for social reasons and more for escape reasons, and that ALTs may be a risk factor from problem gaming.”
Professor Caudwell stated the findings do not suggest having autism spectrum dysfunction or autistic-like traits result in downside gaming, somewhat the outcomes spotlight the significance of understanding what shapes gaming habits.
“We need to ensure gaming remains a balanced activity,” Professor Caudwell stated.
“By specializing in these underlying motivations, interventions for downside gaming might extra successfully deal with the explanations gaming turns into problematic, whereas avoiding the stigmatization of excessive gaming engagement.
“We need to make sure we are not pathologizing gaming, rather understanding that when it is problematic, motives are really important to focus on.”
Future avenues of analysis embrace increasing the survey pool to seize a wider vary of respondents and exploring different components which might contribute to downside gaming, reminiscent of psychological well being and sport preferences.
Extra info:
Jake D. Slack et al, A mediation evaluation of Autistic-like traits and gaming motivations on downside gaming signs: Are the results of social and escape motives the identical?, Addictive Behaviors Experiences (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2025.100625
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Gaming to socialize or escape? Analysis scopes out problematic gaming habits (2025, September 3)
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