• International Journal of Contents
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2018

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.

• Journal of Korea Game Society
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.123-134
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• 2015

There are general surveys on factors related to game addiction. However, less is known about the relationships between game addiction, therapeutic catharsis seeking, and game and life self-efficacy in terms of desired needs. This study sought to clarify several of these relationships. Using data from a survey of 489 online game users, we conducted a regression analysis to explore the association between therapeutic aspects (therapeutic catharsis seeking and game and life self-efficacy), psychological problems (loneliness and depression), and demographic variables (age and gender). Results showed that both therapeutic catharsis seeking and game self-efficacy increase game addiction. The implications of these results are discussed.