Why gamers get hooked: the role of reinforcement-based motives and gender in the risk of internet gaming disorder.

Introduction: Growing attention has been paid to the mechanisms underlying Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), yet less is known about how reinforcement-based gaming motives are associated with IGD severity and whether these associations differ by gender. Methods: Guided by opponent process theory and the I-PACE model, this study conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 1,252 gamers. Network analysis was used to examine the motivational network of IGD, and network comparison analysis was conducted to assess gender differences, with age and game type controlled in the gender-specific analyses. Results: In the total sample network, IGD severity was most strongly connected with gaming duration. It was also linked to enhancement, social, and coping motive items. Enhancement motives were relatively prominent in the network, while social and coping motives also showed direct associations with IGD severity. Gender comparisons, controlling for age and game type, showed no significant differences in overall network structure or global strength. However, localized gender differences emerged in edges involving social motives, IGD, and gaming duration. Specifically, IGD was more strongly associated with the motive of being sociable in males, whereas it was more closely linked to playing because most friends do in females. The connection between IGD and gaming duration was also stronger in females. Discussion: These findings suggest that IGD is related not only to gaming time, but also to the psychological needs that gaming may satisfy. They also indicate that gender differences in IGD may be better understood through specific social motive associations rather than broad network level differences.