Examining the role of social components of group online computer games in the life of teenagers: a qualitative study

Subject Areas : Social Health

Saeed  Banaie zadeh ¹ (PhD student in educational psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran)
Askar  Atash Afrouz ² (Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, shahid chamran university of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran)
Gholamhossein  Maktabi ³ (Professor, Department of Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran)
morteza  Omidian ⁴ (Professor, Department of Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz)

Received: 2025-02-05 Accepted : 2024-04-02 Published : 2024-04-30

Keywords: social components, online computer games, teenager, gamer, qualitative method, thematic analysis,

Abstract :

The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying and investigating the social components of group online computer games in the lives of teenagers.Considering the effect of modern online computer games on the components of people's social life, it is necessary to design a qualitative study to understand the mental world of the audience and those interested in these games, the social effects of this type of games from the perspective of gamers who are often in their teens. and they are young, and their experiences, opinions, and demands were taken into consideration so that we can better investigate the various aspects and effects of these advanced computer games. The important point is that new media and tools (virtual space, computer games) have created a culture that has influenced the culture of the general public, especially teenagers and young people. Therefore, despite the ever-increasing spread of these media, tools, software and hardware, etc., which has been associated with significant popularity and acceptance, the current research aims to identify and examine the components of The social impact of group online computer games in the life of teenagers. The method of this research was qualitative and by step-by-step thematic analysis of Brown and Clark. Non-probability and purposeful sampling and data collection was done through interviews. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 teenagers playing computer games online. Purposive sampling was used until theoretical data saturation was reached. Data analysis resulted in 54 primary codes, 8 basic themes, 2 organizing themes including "positive and constructive social components" and "negative and destructive social components" and an overarching theme titled "social components of group online computer games". The results showed that various factors may be involved in social communication around modern online computer games, which have an effect on the social life of teenagers who make up the majority of gamers of these games. Identifying and examining these components can significantly help in designing and modifying cultural and educational programs as well as effective communication between people who are in contact with teenagers in any way.

References:

زجاجی، رایان. (1399). بنیاد ملی بازی های رایانه ای: ایران 32 میلیون گیمر دارد [اخبار و مقالات]. بازیابی شده در 6 مهر 1399، از https://vigiato.net/p/132262
شیرانی بیدآبادی، عزت، بهیان، شاپور و هاشمیان فر، سیدعلی. (1397). نقش خرده فرهنگ بازی های رایانه ای بر رفتارهای جامعه پسند نوجوانان دبیرستانی شهر اصفهان. مطالعات فرهنگی و ارتباطات، 16(60)، 244-209.
صمدی، مجتبی، محسنیان راد، مهدی و حسینی پاکدهی، علیرضا. (1400). ترسیم الگوهای رفتاری و کنش‌های ارتباطی کاربران بازی های رایانه ای در گیم نت های تهران. مطالعات رسانه های نوین، 7(27)، 119-77.
عابدی جعفری، ح، تسلیمی، م، فقیهی، ا و شیخ زاده، م. (1390). تحلیل مضمون و شبکه مضامین: روشی ساده و کارآمد برای تبیین الگوهای موجود در داده های کیفی. اندیشه مدیریت راهبردی، 5 (2)، 168-151.
علی پور، مرضیه و بزمی، مهناز. (1401). بررسی تأثیر بازی های رایانه ای ملی بر ارتقای مؤلفه های هوش فرهنگی با حس نوع دوستی دانش آموزان دختر متوسطه دوره اول شهرستان اسفراین. پویش در آموزش علوم تربیتی و مشاوره، 8 (16)، 68-43.
غفوری، نجمه و حقایق، سید عباس. (1400). رابطه عملکرد خانواده با وابستگی به شبکه های اجتماعی با نقش واسطه ای خودتنظیمی هیجانی در نوجوانان. فن آوری اطلاعات و ارتباطات در علوم تربیتی، 11(3)، 64-47.
قربانی، سارا، جهانی زاده، محمدرضا، میربد، سیدمهران و امیدی، لیلا. (1399). بررسی رابطه سرمایه های روانشناختی و اجتماعی با سلامت اجتماعی با توجه به متغیر میانجی حمایت اجتماعی، پژوهش های روان شناسی اجتماعی، 38، 100-83.
نوری پور لیاولی، رقیه، فردین، محمدعلی، شیرازی، محمود، افروز، غلامعلی و دهستانی، مهدی. (1395). مقایسه اشتیاق برای برقراری ارتباط در نوجوانان علاقه مند به سبک های مختلف بازی های رایانه ای. فن آوری اطلاعات و ارتباطات در علوم تربیتی، 6(4)، 90-75.
نیکوگفتار، محمد و شباهنگ، رضا. (1399). مقایسه نگرش به خشونت، همدلی و رشد اخلاقی در کاربران نوجوان انواع بازی های رایانه ای. مطالعات روان شناسی تربیتی، 4(37)، 198-175.
Bengtsson, T., T., Bom, L., H., & Fynbo, L. (2021). Playing Apart Together: Young People’s Online Gaming During the COVID-19 Lockdown. Young, 29(4), 65-80
. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 2, 77-101. Chun Liu, C., & Cheng Chang, I. (2016). Model of online game addiction: the role of computer-mediated communication motives. Telematics and Informatics, 10 , 23-42
. Colasante, E., Pivetta, E., Canale, N., Vieno, A., Marino, C., Lenzi, M., Benedetti, E., King, D., L., & Molinaro, S. (2022). Problematic gaming risk among European adolescents: a cross-national evaluation of individual and socio-economic factors. addiction, 117, 2273-2283
. Costa, L., & Veloso, A. (2016). Being (Grand) Players: Review of Digital Games and their Potential to Enhance Intergenerational Interactions. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 14(1), 43-59
. Cucinelli, G., Davidson, A., L., Romero, M., & Matheson, T.(2018). Intergenerational Learning Through a Participatory Video Game Design Workshop. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 16(1), 146-165
. Derboven, J., Van Gils, M., & De Grooff, D. (2012). Designing for collaboration: a study in intergenerational social game design. Univ Access Inf Soc, 11, 57-65
. Gonzalez-Cabrera, J., Basterra-Gonzalez, A., Ortega-Baron, J., Caba-Machado, V., Diaz-Lopez, A., Pontes, H., & Machimbarrena, J. (2023). Loot box purchases and their relationship with internet gaming disorder and online gambling disorder in adolescents: A prospective study. Computers in Human Behavior ,143, 1-7
. Howarth, J. (2024). How Many Gamers Are There? (New 2024 Statistics). Retrieved 2024, January, 29, from https://explodingtopics.com/blog/number-of-gamers
. Karaca, S., Karakoc, A., Gurkan, O., Onan. N., & Barlas, G. (2020). Investigation of the Online Game Addiction Level, Sociodemographic Characteristics and Social Anxiety as Risk Factors for Online Game Addiction in Middle School Students. Community Mental Health Journal, 10, 24-33
. Moon, J., & Ke, F. (2020). Exploring the Relationships Among Middle School Students’ Peer Interactions, Task Efficiency, and Learning Engagement in Game-Based Learning. Simulation & Gaming, 10, 1-26
. O’connor, E., longman, H., White, K. M., & obst, P., L. (2015). Sense of Community, Social Identity and Social Support Among Players of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs): A Qualitative Analysis. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 10, 1-15
. Raith, L., Bignill, J., Stavropoulos, V., Millear, P., Allen, A., Stallman, H., Mason, J., De Regt, T., Wood, A., & Kannis-Dymand, L. (2021). Massively Multiplayer Online Games and Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1-13
. Ramadhani, L., Asrul, A., & Wimbri, F. (2023). Politeness Behavior in Social Interaction in Terms of the Level of Interest in Playing Online Games. Lectura: Jurnal Pendidikan, 14(2), 209-223
. Shewale, R. (2024). Internet User Statistics In 2024 — (Global Demographics). Retrieved 2024, January, 19, from https://www.demandsage.com/internet-user-statistics
. Tseng, F., Huang, H., & Teng, C. (2015). How Do Online Game Communities Retain Gamers? Social Presence and Social Capital Perspectives. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 20, 601–614
. Wolak, J.; Mitchell, K.J. & Finkelhor, D. (2003). Escaping or Connecting? Characteristics of Youth Who Form Close Online Relationships. Journal of Adolescence, 26, 105-119
. Zhang, B., Gao, Q., Fokkema, M., Alterman, V., & Liu, Q. (2015). Adolescent interpersonal relationships, social support and loneliness in high schools: Mediation effect and gender differences. Social Science Research, 53, 104-117
.