Attachment, attraction and communication in real and virtual worlds: a study of massively multiplayer online gamers

Article

Coulson, M., Oskis, A., Meredith, J. and Gould, R. 2018. Attachment, attraction and communication in real and virtual worlds: a study of massively multiplayer online gamers. Computers in Human Behavior. 87, pp. 49-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.05.017
TypeArticle
TitleAttachment, attraction and communication in real and virtual worlds: a study of massively multiplayer online gamers
AuthorsCoulson, M., Oskis, A., Meredith, J. and Gould, R.
Abstract

Potential differences between relationships formed in online versus offline venues were explored using an online survey of massively multiplayer online gamers. Participants (N=1654) provided information about two or more relationships (kin, friends, and romantic relationships), indicating whether these had originated in online or offline venues. Attachment, attraction and communication were assessed for each relationship. Relationship security was predicted by attraction, but the effects of venue were limited to avoidance towards online romantic relationships. Personality, gaming motivation, age and sex all made negligible contributions to relationship security. Limitations, including the correlational nature of the data and the high proportion of male participants, as well as suggestions for how relationship research might proceed in an increasingly online world, are discussed.

PublisherElsevier
JournalComputers in Human Behavior
ISSN0747-5632
Publication dates
Online15 May 2018
Print01 Oct 2018
Publication process dates
Deposited16 May 2018
Accepted11 May 2018
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
License
Copyright Statement

© 2018. This author's accepted manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.05.017
LanguageEnglish
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