GENDER-SPECIFIC MOTIVATIONAL PRIORITIES OF ADOLESCENTS TOWARD GAMING PARTICIPATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/spectrum/2026-2-11Keywords:
gaming, adolescents, motivation, gender differences, esports, digital leisureAbstract
The article presents the results of a study examining gender-specific motivational priorities of adolescents regarding their engagement in gaming amid the growing digitalization and transformation of leisure practices. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted among 156 adolescents aged 15–17 years. Survey methods and statistical analyses (Pearson’s χ² test, Mann–Whitney U test) were applied, enabling the identification of characteristic differences in the motivational profiles of boys and girls. Results. It was established that 74.4% of respondents are actively involved in various forms of gaming activity, with nearly half (48.1%) preferring computer games. Statistically significant gender differences in motivation were identified: boys demonstrated higher scores on emotional (enjoyment), social (recognition, team interaction), and intrinsic (skill development) motives (p < 0.05), which highlights the role of gaming as a medium for self-expression and social hierarchy formation. In contrast, the motives “achievement of high results” (p = 0.833) and “material incentives” (p = 0.229) did not show significant differences between genders. A substantial proportion of respondents (32.7%) who selected the category “other” indicates the diversity of contemporary adolescent digital leisure, integrating gaming with video content consumption, creative practices, and online communication. The findings enhance modern understanding of the motivational structure of gaming and hold practical relevance for developing gender-sensitive educational, recreational, and preventive programs aimed at fostering healthy behavior among adolescents in the digital environment. Conclusions. Gaming occupies a leading position in the leisure structure of modern adolescents. The study confirmed that adolescents’ motivational priorities toward gaming exhibit pronounced gender differences.
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