Game Transfer Phenomena and Problematic Interactive Media Use: Dispositional and Media Habit Factors

Abstract

The study of the effects of interactive media has mainly focused on dysregulated behaviors, the conceptualization of which is supported by the paradigms of addiction. Research into Game Transfer Phenomena (GTP) examines the interplay between video game features, events while playing, and the manipulation of hardware, which can lead to sensory-perceptual and cognitive intrusions (e.g., hallucinations and recurrent thoughts) and self-agency transient changes (e.g., automatic behaviors) related to video games. GTP can influence the interpretation of stimuli and everyday interactions and, in contrast to gaming disorder, are relatively common and not necessarily negative. However, some players have reported feeling distress due to their GTP. This study focuses on how dispositional and interactive media habit factors are related to GTP and two forms of problematic interactive media [problematic video game playing (PVG) and problematic social media use (PSMU)]. A sample of 343 university students who played video games completed an online survey (58.7% male, 19–25 years old). Not all who had experienced GTP were identified as exhibiting PVG or PSMU, but all of those in the PVG group had experienced GTP. Overall, the profiles of the groups, including GTP (91.4%), PVG (28.5%), and PSMU (24.8%), were in accordance with previous findings. Those in the GTP and the PVG groups were characterized by being male, being highly engaged in the game (either while playing or via game-related activities), and showed preferences for game-related activities. However, while those in the GTP group were significantly more likely to be fantasy-prone, those with PVG were the ones who played most per day. Those in the PSMU group were characterized by being female and/or extroverted, frequently using social/sharing platforms, and seldom playing video games. A hierarchical binary logistic regression revealed that males were more likely to experience GTP. Increases in PVG, fantasy proneness, and neuroticism increased the odds of GTP. Future work can benefit from considering the role of GTP in gaming disorder, since intrusive thoughts, cognitive biases, and poor impulse control are pivotal in the initiation and maintenance of dysfunctional playing behaviors.

Multidimensional assessment of Game Transfer Phenomena: Intrusive cognitions, perceptual distortions, hallucinations and dissociations

“…Increases in playing time have been found to be associated with GTP ( Ortiz de Gortari et al, 2015 , 2016 ; Dindar and Ortiz de Gortari, 2017 ), but discrepancies have also been found between hours played a week and playing session length. Some studies have even found that the hours played per day were not associated with GTP ( Ortiz de Gortari and Gackenbach, 2021 ). The validation of the original GTPS used session length for criterion-related validity ( Ortiz de Gortari et al, 2015 ; Dindar and Ortiz de Gortari, 2017 ).…”

“…It is fundamental to understand the degree of which the assessment of GTP can support the identification of factors that contribute to the maintenance of gaming disorder (GD) symptoms and relapse. Various studies have shown associations between GD and GTP ( Ortiz de Gortari et al, 2016 ; Jones-Rincon et al, 2021 ; Ortiz de Gortari and Gackenbach, 2021 ; Llamas-Alonso et al, 2022 ) and GTP have emerged as a mediator of factors for gaming disorder (e.g., gaming features and emotion regulation) ( Cudo and Zabielska-Mendyk, 2022 ). For instances, the assessment of GTP in clinical cases of GD has shown to be beneficial for understanding the evolution of patient symptomatology and establishing differential diagnoses of psychosis ( Ortiz de Gortari and Basche, 2021 , 2022 ).…”

“… Ortiz de Gortari et al, 2015 ). Studies conducted with international samples using the original GTPS have shown a prevalence of GTP between 75 and 99% among video game players ( Ortiz de Gortari and Griffiths, 2016 ; Dindar and Ortiz de Gortari, 2017 ; Ortiz de Gortari, 2017 ; Ortiz de Gortari and Gackenbach, 2021 ; Cudo et al, 2022 ). These studies have shown that most participants have experienced GTP more than once.…”

Coping with COVID-19 pandemic stressors: Comparisons between non-players and players, and levels of Game Transfer Phenomena

“…Various underlying psychopathological factors have been found to be associated with GTP (e.g., schizotypal personality, neuroticism, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and problematic gaming) [17] , [20] , [28] , [33] , but, in most cases, players who reported experiencing GTP have had no clinical diagnosis [27] ; Ortiz de Gortari & Griffiths, 2016a; [33] . However, research has found that those who experience GTP more frequently and in various forms are significantly more likely to have used drugs, suffer from a mental disorder, and experience distress or dysfunction due to their GTP experiences [32] .…”

Editorial: User-Avatar Bond: Risk and Opportunities in Gaming and Beyond

“…Further, sense of embodiment likely plays a role in the Proteus effect, of the phenomenon that an avatar's characteristics influence the user's subsequent behaviors (Yee and Bailenson, 2007 , 2009 ; Ratan et al, 2020 ). Thus, while the individual's real-life background and knowledge, either directly and/or indirectly, predicate the avatar's formation, the avatar can also influence the user's conduct outside of the virtual world in subtle, although significant ways (e.g., distorted perceptions, cognitions, and even non-deliberate actions Ortiz de Gortari and Gackenbach, 2021 ; Navarro et al, 2022 ).…”