Analysis of moderators in the causal relationship between video games and well-being

Abstract

Based on a dualistic model of passion, we hypothesized and analyzed the hypothesis that passion for video games (harmonious and obsessive passion) moderates the causal relationship between video games and well-being. Online survey data collected in a lottery-based natural experimental setting were used to identify the assumed causal relationship. The analysis revealed that only harmonious passion moderates the causal relationship between games and well-being. Specifically, those with high values of harmonious passion found that video games enhanced well-being, whereas those with low values of harmonious passion did not find that video games enhanced well-being. On the other hand, the moderation of obsessive passion on the causal effects of games was not found in this study.