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<p>As digital gaming becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, concerns about excessive and problematic gaming behaviors have gained prominence in both clinical and academic discourse. This study explores the lived experiences of individuals exhibiting symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) by analyzing user-generated narratives on Reddit. Drawing on a mixed-methods analysis of 42,035 Reddit comments, including detailed qualitative thematic analysis of a stratified sample of 1,000 comments from gaming-related subreddits, the study identifies core motivational and behavioral patterns underlying problematic gaming. Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the analysis reveals that digital games satisfy unmet psychological needs—particularly autonomy, competence, and relatedness—while also generating a perceived loss of behavioral control and cognitive dissonance. Reddit users frequently articulate ambivalent attitudes toward gaming, recognizing its emotional benefits while also struggling with its disruptive impact on daily functioning. The findings suggest that gaming disorder is best understood as a dynamic interaction between intrinsic motivation and impaired volitional regulation, shaped by both psychological gratification and socio-normative influences. This study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of gaming disorder by integrating theory-driven analysis with naturally occurring digital data.</p>

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Gaming Disorder in the Digital Age: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Online Communities and Patterns of Problematic Gaming Behavior

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月16日

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  • Erkut Altındağ,
  • Yavuz Selim Balcıoğlu

摘要

As digital gaming becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, concerns about excessive and problematic gaming behaviors have gained prominence in both clinical and academic discourse. This study explores the lived experiences of individuals exhibiting symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) by analyzing user-generated narratives on Reddit. Drawing on a mixed-methods analysis of 42,035 Reddit comments, including detailed qualitative thematic analysis of a stratified sample of 1,000 comments from gaming-related subreddits, the study identifies core motivational and behavioral patterns underlying problematic gaming. Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the analysis reveals that digital games satisfy unmet psychological needs—particularly autonomy, competence, and relatedness—while also generating a perceived loss of behavioral control and cognitive dissonance. Reddit users frequently articulate ambivalent attitudes toward gaming, recognizing its emotional benefits while also struggling with its disruptive impact on daily functioning. The findings suggest that gaming disorder is best understood as a dynamic interaction between intrinsic motivation and impaired volitional regulation, shaped by both psychological gratification and socio-normative influences. This study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of gaming disorder by integrating theory-driven analysis with naturally occurring digital data.