Futile search for a better life? Two biographical case studies on women with depression and video game dependency

Abstract

PurposeVideo game dependency (VGD) is a behavioural addiction on the rise with considerably higher prevalence among males, and the rates and patterns of comorbidity with other disorders seem to be comparable to that of substance‐related addictions. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the role of gaming behaviour and gaming motives in the biographical context for female addicts with this new type of dual diagnosis.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted semi‐structured biographical interviews as part of an interdisciplinary German research project on VGD conducted by the Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony (KFN). Qualitative research process followed modified grounded theory.FindingsFor VGD women, frequent accounts of depression preceding VGD and of traumatic childhood experiences of loss and/or abuse were found. In two exemplary case studies, online gaming can be described at least in part as an unsuccessful coping attempt. For example, the MMORPGs seem to allow them to experience reliable “reward for their efforts” while experiencing feelings of worthlessness due to academic failure, to experience “social contact” in spite of a fear of closeness.Research limitations/implicationsGender specific strategies in prevention and treatment of VGD need to be considered, though further research is needed to verify the findings on a larger scale.Originality/valueThe research on gender and VGD dual diagnosis provides qualitative pioneer work in an area where no published research results are available.