Relationship of Online Gaming with Self Control, Problem Solving and Social Zapping in Young Adult Gamers

Abstract

Aim of the Study: The aim of study is to investigate the impact of online gaming behavior on self-control, problem solving, and social zapping among adult gamers.

Methodology: A quantitative study with correlational research design; participants N=325 (270 males and 55 females) aged 18-30, was conducted where data was gathered through Google forms. The assessment tools used for this research were Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (Pontes & Griffith, 2015), The Self Control Scale (Tangney et al., 2004), Independent- Interdependent Problem-Solving Scale (Rubin, Watt & Ramelli, 2012) and Social Zapping Scale (Muller, et. al., 2021).

Findings: The results of statistical analyses indicated that online gaming has negatively significant relation with self-control (r=-.224**, p<0.01) and positively significant relation with social zapping (r=.165**, p<0.01). But no significant relation was observed between online gaming and problem solving (p>0.05). Furthermore, self-control found to be the key factor as a mediator between online gaming and social zapping (b=-.29, p< .001).

Conclusion: Online gaming shows negative correlation with self-control and positive correlation with social zapping which means with the increase in online gaming there will be increase in social zapping as well but decrease is self-control and vice versa. No significant relationship was found between online gaming and problem solving. Besides, age plays a huge role in social zapping among gamers. Late adult gamers are comparatively less social zappers as compared to young adult gamers.