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The impact of social identity on online game addiction: the mediating role of the fear of missing out (FoMO) and the moderating role of the need to belong

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate (a) the mediating role played by the fear of missing out (FoMO) between social identity and online game addiction, and (b) the moderating role of the need to belong in the indirect relationship between social identity and online game addiction. This model was examined among 318 MMORPGs gamers. Gamers completed surveys regarding social identity, FoMO, the need to belong and online game addiction. Results demonstrated that the impact of social identity on online game addiction can be fully mediated by gamers’ FoMO. Furthermore, this indirect relationship was moderated by the need to belong in the first stage of the mediation process, such that the path from social identity was stronger in the context of greater need to belong.

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Correspondence to Hazal Duman.

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Duman, H., Ozkara, B.Y. The impact of social identity on online game addiction: the mediating role of the fear of missing out (FoMO) and the moderating role of the need to belong. Curr Psychol 40, 4571–4580 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00392-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00392-w

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