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http://dx.doi.org/10.5392/IJoC.2018.14.1.012

Do Therapeutic Interventions Exist in Online Games? Effects of Therapeutic Catharsis, Online Game Self-Efficacy, and Life Self-Efficacy on Depression, Loneliness, and Aggression  

Lee, Hye Rim (Department of Computer Science Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf)
Jeong, Eui Jun (Department of Digital Culture & Contents Konkuk University)
Publication Information
International Journal of Contents / v.14, no.1, 2018 , pp. 12-17 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study explored potential therapeutic mechanisms of playing preferred online games as predictors of therapeutic interventions for players' psychosocial factors (i.e., aggression, depression, and loneliness). Based on theories of catharsis, the generic model of psychotherapy, we took a therapeutic approach to integrate these perspectives. We created a path model describing how therapeutic catharsis-seeking, online game self-efficacy, and life self-efficacy were associated with psychosocial factors of aggression, depression, and loneliness, including generalized sub-constructs of each factor as multi-dimensional sources. We analyzed the path model using data of 1,227 online game players in Korea. Our results indicated that therapeutic catharsis-seeking could alleviate aggression via favorite game playing. Life self-efficacy was a primary predictor for alleviating depression and loneliness. However, online game self-efficacy was positively associated with depression and loneliness. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Keywords
Therapeutic Intervention; Game Playing; Self-efficacy; Aggression; Depression; Loneliness;
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