The role of self-esteem in triggering and maintaining gaming for people with gaming disorder cut-off scores and above average gaming disorder scores: A quasi-experimental study

Correlational research indicates that low self-esteem is associated with gaming disorder. However, experimental research between these variables is lacking. This study aims to quasi-experimentally investigate self-esteem's role in (i) triggering motivation to game and (ii) in maintaining gaming disorder. In Study 1, N = 1712 participants were recruited from massively multiplayer online role playing-game forums. Participants meeting the cut-off score on a gaming disorder measure vs participants with the lowest gaming disorder scores completed scales of self-esteem, self-compassion and self-concept clarity related to their life inside and outside of the gaming-world. In Study 2, N = 175 participants with above average gaming disorder measure scores were randomised to four different groups. Participant's self-esteem was experimentally manipulated. Post-manipulation, participants played or did not play their usual online game. Self-esteem and gaming motivation measures were completed pre, immediately-post and 30 min post-manipulation. In Study 1, all measures increased significantly more for the gaming disorder cut-off group when imagining life inside the game. Self-esteem had the largest increase and self-compassion the smallest. In Study 2, after self-esteem was experimentally lowered, gaming provided a boost to self-esteem significantly above both post-lowered and pre-manipulation levels. However, motivation to game did not change post-lowered self-esteem. This is the first study to provide quasi-experimental evidence for gaming disorder compensatory hypotheses. The study provides evidence for a self-esteem maintenance model of gaming disorder. It provides cautionary evidence that lowered self-esteem does not trigger or cause people scoring above average on a gaming disorder measure to game.