The Dark Tetrad traits and problematic online gaming: The mediating role of online gaming motives and moderating role of game types

Different personality traits are correlated with problematic internet use and online gaming. However, associations between dark personality traits and problematic online gaming (POG) have received less attention. The present study investigated direct and indirect associations of the Dark Tetrad traits (i.e., Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism, sadism) with POG via online gaming motives (controlling for hours spent gaming) among 421 online gamers. Mediation analyses showed narcissism was indirectly associated with POG via online gaming motives of escape and fantasy among role-playing game players and the total sample. Sadism was directly associated with POG among first-person shooter game players and indirectly with POG via online gaming motives of escape and fantasy among role-playing game players and the total sample. The findings suggest that dark traits should also be taken into account when considering theoretical models involving problematic gaming use, online gaming motives, and preference for different games.