The Characteristics of Avatar Users according to Avatar Image -Focus on utilization state, body-esteem and self-esteem-

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between avatar image and self-concept of avatar users by utilizing focus group interviews and survey method. The subjects of the focus group interview were Freechal Avatar Club members, while those of the survey were 476 students, who attended middle schools, high schools and colleges at Seoul area. The data were analyzed by frequency, factor analysis, cluster analysis, chi-square test, one-way ANOVA and scheffe test. The main results were summarized as follows. First, the focus group interview revealed that avatar image types, which avatar users made use of, were ideal image, real image and fantastic image. Second, based on the avatar image types of focus group interviews, the researcher made out avatar image question items and conducted factor analysis of the question items: The avatar users pursued ideal image, real image and fantastic image. The avatar users groups were classified into ideal image group, real image group and fantastic image group by employing cluster analysis. Third, all of body-esteem and self-esteem were the highest at real image group, while all of that were the lowest at ideal image group.

아바타 이미지에 따른 아바타 이용자 특성에 관한 연구 -아바타 이용현황, 신체존중감, 그리고 자기존중감을 중심으로-