Emotional characteristics of players with different video game genre preferences

Context and relevance. In contemporary psychological research, video games are considered a factor potentially associated with characteristics of the emotional domain. At the same time, differences in emotional characteristics among players with different video game genre preferences remain insufficiently studied. This article presents an empirical investigation of emotional domain characteristics in players who prefer different video game genres. Objective. To identify differences in the emotional domain among players who prefer different video game genres. Hypothesis. Preference for specific video game genres is associated with the expression of particular characteristics of the emotional domain. Methods and materials. The study involved 2653 respondents (M = 18,6, SD = 3,2, 60,1% female). Video game preferences were assessed using the Video Game Preferences Questionnaire (O.V. Rubtsova, T.A. Poskakalova). Empathy was measured with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (M. Davis), adapted by T.D. Karyagina. Behavioral self-regulation style was assessed using the SSPM-2020 methodology (V.I. Morosanova). Aggression was measured with the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (A. Buss, M. Perry), adapted by S.N. Enikolopov. Emotional dysregulation was assessed using the Emotional Dysregulation Questionnaire (N.A. Polskaya, A.Yu. Razvalyaeva). Results. Preference for video game genres was found to be associated with differences in a number of emotional domain indicators. Stable differences between groups of players were identified, indicating heterogeneity of emotional characteristics depending on the preferred video game genre. Conclusions. The findings indicate the presence of statistical associations between video game genre preferences and characteristics of the emotional domain in players. The results underscore the relevance of a differentiated approach to the study of video game activity that takes into account genre specificity and individual psychological characteristics of players.

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