Date of Conferral

1-1-2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

John E. Deaton

Abstract

It is not known if, or to what degree, time spent playing massive multi online roleplaying games (MMORPGs) and adult attachment style affect marital quality. This study attempts to deliver a clearer image about the statistical links between MMORPGs and marital quality to better understand how MMORPGs can affect this relational area. Attachment theory is the theoretical model used in this study. The Hayes mediation analysis was used to answer the research questions. However, correlations were performed initially, to evaluate the suitability of the mediation analysis. The 240 respondents were selected using a convenience sampling approach, through the use of Amazon’s MTurk. It was predicted that adult attachment style would correlate with time spent playing MMORPGs and marital quality. Results indicated that the null hypothesis was rejected for the first three research questions (whether adult attachment style correlated with marital quality operationalized as conflict, neglect, affection, or intimacy; whether adult attachment style correlated with time spent playing MMORPGs; and whether time spent playing MMORPGs correlated with marital quality operationalized as conflict, neglect, affection, or intimacy. and was not rejected for the fourth research question (whether time spent playing MMORPGs mediated the relationship between adult attachment style and marital quality operationalized as conflict, neglect, affection, or intimacy). A professional, in practice, would benefit from knowing the research and acquiring the appropriate tools and resources that provide a competent understanding of gaming, specifically, MMORPGs resulting in positive social change.

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