The Relationship Between Online Game Addiction and Aggression, Self-Control and Narcissistic Personality Traits

TLDR

The study investigates how aggression, self‑control, and narcissistic traits relate to online game addiction. A survey of 1,471 online gamers (82.7 % male, mean age 21.3) used self‑report questionnaires assessing game use, addiction (modified Young scale), aggression (Buss‑Perry), self‑control, and narcissistic personality. Aggression and narcissistic traits positively correlate with online game addiction while self‑control negatively correlates; a regression model using these traits, interpersonal relationships, and occupation predicts addiction but explains only 20 % of variance, highlighting a profile of at‑risk individuals that can inform prevention programs.

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the relationship between online game addiction and aggression, self-control, and narcissistic personality traits, which are known as the psychological characteristics linked to "at-risk" populations for online game addiction.A total of 1471 online game users (males 82.7%, females 17.3%, mean age 21.30+/-4.96) participated in this study and were asked to complete several self-report measures using an online response method. Questionnaires included demographic information and game use-related characteristics of the samples, the online game addiction scale (modified from Young's Internet addiction scale), the Buss-Perry aggression questionnaire, a self-control scale, and the narcissistic personality disorder scale.Our results indicated that aggression and narcissistic personality traits are positively correlated with online game addiction, whereas self-control is negatively correlated with online game addiction (p<0.001). In addition, a multiple regression analysis revealed that the extent of online game addiction could be predicted based on the person's narcissistic personality traits, aggression, self-control, interpersonal relationship, and occupation. However, only 20% of the variance in behavioral consequences was explained with the model.An interesting profile has emerged from the results of this study, suggesting that certain psychological characteristics such as aggression, self-control, and narcissistic personality traits may predispose some individuals to become addicted to online games. This result will deepen our understanding of the "at-risk" population for online game addiction and provide basic information that can contribute to developing a prevention program for people who are addicted to online games.