Maladaptive daydreaming, self-concept clarity, and gaming disorder symptoms assessed through DSM-5 and ICD-11: the role of fantasy and escape motives

The present study tested a model proposing a pathway from maladaptive daydreaming (MD) and low self-concept clarity (SCC) to Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) symptoms, mediated by fantasy and escape motives. Using a sample of 300 adolescent and young adult gamers (M = 18.26; SD = 2.84; 48% female), the structural equation models showed a good fit to the data regardless of the diagnostic criteria applied (i.e. DSM-5 or ICD-11 guidelines). However, when applying a more conservative approach that included only items assessing loss of control, continuation of gaming despite harms, and impairment as main symptoms (i.e. the criteria identified by the Delphi study), only an indirect path from MD to IGD symptoms via fantasy was identified. Players most likely to exhibit the symptoms that best distinguish problematic engagement from healthy passion may be those who are motivated by a desire to step outside their usual identity and who prefer fantasy worlds.