Why are they so addicted? : modeling online games addiction behavior among university students

Abstract

Despite online game playing becomes a trend, very little is known about the factors that causes online game addiction. Likewise, limited research focused on influence on theory of planned behavior, social interaction and human computer interaction on students’ continuance intention to play online games which leads to games addiction. By reformulating, the Facebook addiction scale to online game addiction scale, this study examines the role of theory of planned behavior, social interaction and human computer interaction on students’ games playing addiction. This research treated 201 students from two different universities who play one of the most popular online games called “Clash of Clan”. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data. Result indicates, students’ continuance intention has highest effect on games addiction and social interaction has high impact on student’s attitude towards online game. Finally, a discussion was provided on the findings, and relevant suggestions were proposed for universities, students, and further studies.