Lost in virtual gaming worlds: Grit and its prognostic value for online game addiction

Background and ObjectivesThe personality construct grit is defined as the ability to be persistent in pursuit of long-term goals in spite of challenges or obstacles. Grit is an emerging concept in positive psychology and has gained much attention because of its relevance for success and well-being across different domains. The aim of the present study was to examine the prognostic value of grit for online game addiction. MethodsWe surveyed German speaking online gamers (N=305: 193 males and 112 females, M-age=28.44 years, SDage=8.88) in an online cross-sectional self-report study. We measured grit with the German version of the Short Grit Scale (BISS-8), online game addiction with the short version of the Game Addiction Scale (GAS), and participants' age and gender. ResultsStructural equation modeling supported the higher-order factor structure of grit in our sample ((2)[18]=29.31, p<.05; CFI=.980; TLI=.969; RMSEA=.045; SRMR=.038). A logistic regression revealed that both grit (OR=0.62, 95%CI [.42; .89], p<.05) as well as age (OR=.92, 95%CI [.88; .97], p<.01) significantly reduced the likelihood of being addicted to online games. Discussion and ConclusionsIn line with previous research on grit in patients with substance use disorders, we found grit to be a protective factor against online game addiction. We concluded that higher grit scores and older ages decrease the likelihood of being addicted to online games. Scientific SignificanceThis study provides initial support for the clinical relevance of grit for online game addiction. (Am J Addict 2018;27:433-438)