A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Exploring game-based psychological empowerment and its motivational and wellbeing effects
Authors: Vahlo, Jukka; Holm, Suvi K.; Kaakinen, Johanna K.; Koponen, Aki
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publishing place: London
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Entertainment Computing
Journal name in source: Entertainment Computing
Journal acronym: ENTERTAIN COMPUT
Article number: 100970
Volume: 55
Number of pages: 16
ISSN: 1875-9521
eISSN: 1875-953X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2025.100970
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2025.100970
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499636370
This study empirically investigates how individuals experience psychological empowerment through gaming compared to their daily life interactions. Drawing on a survey of 2,594 participants from Finland and Denmark, we examine the prevalence, predictors, and implications of psychological empowerment in gaming. Our findings show that 29 percent of respondents from the nationally representative subsamples in both countries report experiencing greater psychological empowerment in gaming than in life in general. Further analysis using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) reveals that gameplay preferences, positive affect, and playtime predict game-based psychological empowerment. Moreover, the meaningfulness component of game-based empowerment significantly influences gaming motivation - particularly immersion, achievement, relaxation, and challenge motives - as well as subjective vitality in daily life, suggesting potential transfer effects. Adapting Spreitzer's (1995) model of psychological empowerment, this study contextualizes these findings within gaming experiences. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of psychological empowerment in games and offer insights for game design, emphasizing the value of creating meaningful and empowering play experiences.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |  |
Funding information in the publication:
This research was funded by the University of Turku and Tekes-the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation as part of two joint research projects: Play for Reward (40109/14) and Your Kind of Games (864/31/16) .
