Sociality in Multiplayer Online Games and Psychological Wellbeing: Role of Online Social Capital

Abstract

Social interaction in multiplayer online gamers, as opposed to conventional single-player video games, has increased gamers' interest. Consequently, it has piqued the interest of researchers to study in-game sociality's influence on psychological wellbeing. The study examines the moderating effect of online social capital in the relationship between sociality in multiplayer online games (destructive and constructive) and the psychological wellbeing of multiplayer gamers. Internet Social Capital Scale (ISCS), Sociality in Multiplayer Online Games (SMOG), and Ryff’s Psychological Wellbeing Scale were used in the study. Data was collected from multiplayer online gamers (n = 183) through an online survey using convenient sampling. Results indicate that constructive sociality in multiplayer games is positively associated whereas, destructive sociality is negatively associated with the psychological wellbeing of multiplayer online gamers. Moreover, social capital significantly moderates the relationship between constructive in-game sociality and psychological wellbeing. In addition, differences in online social capital, in-game sociality, and psychological wellbeing across different demographics variables like gender, age, frequency of gameplay, and level of social interaction in games were also studied in the process. Limitations and future directions are also discussed in the study.