Conceptualizing online gaming addiction in Iranian adolescents: A Qualitative Grounded Theory Study

Authors
Parirokh Mamaghani Miandoab
Javad Kavousian
Mehdi Arabzadeh
Balal Izanloo
Kharazmi University
Abstract
With the revolution in the world of computer networks and the evolution of new technologies, online games have replaced traditional physical games and video games. The present study aimed to conceptualize online game addiction in Iranian adolescents based on grounded theory through semi-structured interviews. The participants were 20 adolescent boys aged 13 to 18 years old in Tehran who were selected through theoretical purposive sampling. MAXQUDA-10 software and Strauss and Corbin's (1998) thematic analysis approach including open, axial, selective, and theoretical coding were used to analyze the data and extract themes. The results of the interview analysis showed that the categories of filling leisure time, personal, communication, fame, and wealth acquisition were the most important causes of online game addiction in adolescents. The categories of personal, work, and marketing, and perceived social support constituted important areas of online game addiction. Improving attention and concentration, controlling anger, being cheerful and relieving depression, making friends, becoming professional, and becoming famous were the positive consequences of online gaming addiction, and ultimately, lack of time for daily activities, academic and personal decline, damage to physical health, and not being understood by the family constituted the negative consequences of online gaming addiction. It can be concluded that online gaming addiction in adolescents is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that is influenced by individual, social, and family factors.
Keywords
Grounded theory
online gaming addiction
adolescents
individual
social
Family
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