The Role of Psychological Motivations in Online Gaming Addiction among Adolescents

The use of online games in recent years has become a popular entertainment among teens. Due to their highly motivating properties and the high rates of addiction to these games, the motivating factors for online gaming have come to the attention of researchers. The present study aimed to develop and test a model for the relationship between motivations for gaming and addiction to online games.
In this cross- sectional study, 409 adolescents which play Clash of Clans were recruited from high schools in Karaj and two questionnaires of online gaming addiction and motives for online gaming were completed. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling.
The results showed that seeking the flow experience and communication with others were the highest and lowest ranking in prediction of influencing online gaming addiction, respectively. The investigated model for the role of psychological motivations in online gaming addiction was confirmed and explained 0.77 of its variance.
The results of this study suggested that psychological motivations largely explained online gaming addiction among adolescents. Therefore, prevention efforts aimed at reducing online gaming addiction should compose of these factors. In fact, the results suggested that earlier prevention efforts may be warranted.