Effects of College Students' Video Gaming Behavior on Self-Concept Clarity and Flow

We explored time spent playing and other video gamer behavior in relation to the psychological constructs of self-concept clarity and flow. Survey data were collected from a paper-and-pencil survey of a student sample from a university in northwestern United States. We found that compared with gamers with high self-concept clarity, gamers with low self-concept clarity spent more time playing video games. Furthermore, flow was positively associated with time spent playing. Gamers who spent more time playing reported more flow experiences. This research contributes to understanding of the relationship between gamer psychologies and gaming behavior amongst college students.