The Relationship Between Online Game Addiction and Aggression, Self-Control and Narcissistic Personality Traits

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec id="S0924933800259580_abs1" sec-type="other"><jats:title>Objectives.</jats:title><jats:p>This study aimed to explore the relationship between online game addiction and aggression, self-control, and narcissistic personality traits, which are known as the psychological characteristics linked to “at-risk” populations for online game addiction.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S0924933800259580_abs2" sec-type="methods"><jats:title>Method.</jats:title><jats:p>A total of 1471 online game users (males 82.7%, females 17.3%, mean age 21.30 ± 4.96) participated in this study and were asked to complete several self-report measures using an online response method. Questionnaires included demographic information and game use-related characteristics of the samples, the online game addiction scale (modified from Young's Internet addiction scale), the Buss–Perry aggression questionnaire, a self-control scale, and the narcissistic personality disorder scale.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S0924933800259580_abs3" sec-type="results"><jats:title>Results.</jats:title><jats:p>Our results indicated that aggression and narcissistic personality traits are positively correlated with online game addiction, whereas self-control is negatively correlated with online game addiction (<jats:italic>p</jats:italic>< 0.001). In addition, a multiple regression analysis revealed that the extent of online game addiction could be predicted based on the person's narcissistic personality traits, aggression, self-control, interpersonal relationship, and occupation. However, only 20% of the variance in behavioral consequences was explained with the model.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S0924933800259580_abs4" sec-type="conclusions"><jats:title>Conclusion.</jats:title><jats:p>An interesting profile has emerged from the results of this study, suggesting that certain psychological characteristics such as aggression, self-control, and narcissistic personality traits may predispose some individuals to become addicted to online games. This result will deepen our understanding of the “at-risk” population for online game addiction and provide basic information that can contribute to developing a prevention program for people who are addicted to online games.</jats:p></jats:sec>