Can Personal Identity Protect against Problematic Gaming? A Study on the Relationships between Identity Motives, User–Avatar Bond, and Problematic Gaming in a Sample of MMORPG Players

A positive relationship between user–avatar bond (UAB; i.e., avatar identification and avatar idealization) and problematic gaming (PG) has been well established among Massive Multiplayer Role-Playing Games (MMORPG) players. However, no study has examined how players’ personal identity relates both to UAB and PG. Based on the Motivated Identity Construction Theory, the current study examined the relationships between actual levels of identity motives (self-efficacy, continuity, uniqueness, self-esteem, and belonging), UAB, and PG in a sample of 675 MMORPG players. Results showed that perceiving oneself as the same person over time (continuity) and feeling included and accepted (belonging) directly protect MMORPG players from PG, while perceiving oneself as highly unique (uniqueness) and having low confidence in one’s own capacity to reach specific goals (self-efficacy) are indirect risk factors for PG as they strengthen UAB. The reasons explaining these links will be discussed.