Finding Solace or Solitude? Exploring the Compensating and Enhancing Effects of Social Mobile Game Play

Mobile gaming, a shared activity that fostering interaction, presents a controversial impact on individuals’ well-being. Drawing on social compensation and enhancement hypotheses, this study developed a model integrating rejection sensitivity, game escapism, three forms of in-game social play (i.e., with strong ties, weak ties, and AI teammates), and social withdrawal. Data collected through an online survey revealed that social play with strong ties and AI teammates can mitigate the tendency towards social withdrawal, while social play with weak ties could exacerbate such tendencies. These findings shed light on the effect of social gaming on the relationship between psychologically vulnerable individuals and their social well-being. Additionally, this research provides insights for mobile game designers in creating online environments that can serve as effective supportive spaces for players.