Brief report: investigating the motivations and autistic traits of video gamers

Millington, E. , Simmons, D. R. and Cleland Woods, H. (2022) Brief report: investigating the motivations and autistic traits of video gamers. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(3), pp. 1403-1407. (doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-04994-x) (PMID:33886033)

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Abstract

Video games are commonly of interest in autism, with autistic adolescents playing twice as much as their Typically Developing peers. The aims of this study are to investigate whether motivations to play video games measured using the Gaming Attitudes, Motivations and Experiences Scales and autistic traits using the Autism Spectrum Quotient can predict time spent playing video games. 57 participants were recruited from internet forums and completed an online questionnaire. The preliminary results revealed that only escapism and social motivation predicted time spent playing games. Further investigation revealed interactions between autistic traits and several motivational scales, including escapism, completionism, and customisation. This has consequences for future research into how autistic people use video games to ease their anxieties.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This study was partially supported by an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) collaborative studentship (funded with Sublime Digital Limited).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Millington, Mr Elliot and Cleland Woods, Heather and Simmons, Dr David
Authors: Millington, E., Simmons, D. R., and Cleland Woods, H.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology
Journal Name:Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0162-3257
ISSN (Online):1573-3432
Published Online:22 April 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors, under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
First Published:First published in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 52(3): 1403-1407
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy
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