The serial mediation effects of body image-coping strategies and avatar-identification in the relationship between self-concept clarity and gaming disorder: A pilot study

Abstract

Gaming disorder (GD) has been recognized as a mental health problem, resulting in adverse and psychosocial consequences. Although previous evidence suggests poorer self-concept clarity (SCC) and avatar identification are associated with GD, less is known about the mediating role of body-image coping strategies (appearance- fixing and avoidance, a form of escapism) in this relationship. A total of 214 Italian online gamers (64 % males) were anonymously recruited online by posting the survey link on social media gaming forums and other online sites. The participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 59 years (M = 24.07 years, SD = 5.19). The results of the correlational analysis showed that SCC was negatively related to GD, whereas body coping strategies and avatar-identification were positively associated with GD. Avoidance fully mediated the association between SCC and GD. Moreover, appearance-fixing and avatar-identification were full serial mediators between SCC and GD. Overall, the results of the present study suggest potential pathways for understanding the underlying de­terminants of GD, which can help in the design of intervention programs to help reduce the risk of GD among players