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International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 4/2019

Open Access 01-08-2019 | Original Article

Female Gamers’ Experience of Online Harassment and Social Support in Online Gaming: A Qualitative Study

Authors: Lavinia McLean, Mark D. Griffiths

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction | Issue 4/2019

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Abstract

Female gaming is a relatively under-researched area, and female gamers often report experiencing harassment whilst playing online. The present study explored female experiences of social support while playing online video games, because of the previous research suggesting that females often experience harassment and negative interactions during game play. Data were collected from an online discussion forum, and comprised posts drawn from 271 female gamers. Thematic analysis of the discussions suggested that a lack of social support and harassment frequently led to female gamers playing alone, playing anonymously, and moving groups regularly. The female gamers reported experiencing anxiety and loneliness due to this lack of social support, and for many, this was mirrored in their experiences of social support outside of gaming. The female gamers frequently accepted the incorporation into their gaming of specific coping strategies to mitigate online harassment, including actively hiding their identity and avoiding all forms of verbal communication with other players. These themes are discussed in relation to relevant research in the area, along with recommendations for future research and consideration of possible explanations for the themes observed.
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Metadata
Title
Female Gamers’ Experience of Online Harassment and Social Support in Online Gaming: A Qualitative Study
Authors
Lavinia McLean
Mark D. Griffiths
Publication date
01-08-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction / Issue 4/2019
Print ISSN: 1557-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-018-9962-0

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