게임 이용 동기와 게임선용: 5개년 패널 연구

Abstract

This study examines the dual potential of gaming motivations, which have been discussed as risk correlates of gaming disorder and as possible sources of vitality, by estimating wave-specific associations with Adaptive Game Use (AGU) across five waves. Five-year panel data from the Korea Creative Content Agency (Wave 1 to 5, N=778) were analyzed using MIMIC models. The results indicated that Reward and Escapism motives were consistently and positively associated with AGU across all waves. In an adaptive context, reward-oriented play may align with competence-related gratification, while escapism may reflect psychological restoration. Social motivations also showed wave-dependent patterns. Teamwork was a significant predictor in the earlier waves (Wave 1 to 3), whereas Socializing emerged as a key predictor in the later waves (Wave 4 to 5). Overall, the findings suggest that the implications of gaming motivations depend on the outcome under consideration, supporting game literacy education that strengthens the capacity to harness gaming as a positive resource rather than relying solely on restrictive approaches.