The Mechanisms of Mobile Gaming Addiction

Mobile gaming addiction is the persistent and maladaptive pattern of mobile game playing behavior, which may result in uncontrolled spending, deteriorating physical health, and the breakdown of interpersonal relationships. Much of the existing research surrounding mobile gaming addiction is centered on the personality traits that render an individual more susceptible to becoming addicted, and the motivations for playing mobile games. However, there remains a lack of knowledge on the precise mechanisms through which the characteristics, features and content of mobile games induce addiction. Our study, which is aimed at addressing this knowledge gap, reveals that the characteristics, features and content of a mobile game induce addiction through a unique blend of three underlying mechanisms – the Socialization, Gambling, and Gaming Mechanisms. Moreover, these mechanisms, each composed of certain characteristics, features and content of a mobile game, may influence the psychological states of gamers and contribute to mobile gaming addiction.