Open Access

Hidden sufferings under entertainment: Gamebullying victimization and depression among Chinese multiplayer-online-battle-arena (MOBA) gamers

Zizhong Zhang^1,2, Chen Luo^3,4,*

1 College of Media and International Culture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
2 School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
3 School of Journalism and Communication, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
4 Research Center for Intercultural Communication, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China

* Corresponding Author: Chen Luo. Email:

Journal of Psychology in Africa 2025, 35(1), 61-67. https://doi.org/10.32604/jpa.2025.066008

Received 08 April 2024; Accepted 25 March 2025; Issue published 30 April 2025

Abstract

Online gaming has become a daily norm, leading to unique forms of game-bullying distinct from traditional cyberbullying due to its immersive nature and ranking systems. This study examined how game-bullying victimization (GBV) affects depression via self-esteem, moderated by resilience and the state of flow, among 359 Chinese MOBA (Multiplayer-online-battle-arena) gamers (30.7% female, mean age = 23.8 years, SD = 4.57 years). The analysis revealed a direct link between GBV and depression. Self-esteem mediates this relationship, with higher GBV associated with lower self-esteem and subsequently greater depression. Resilience moderates both direct and indirect effects, mitigating GBV’s impact on self-esteem and depression in those with higher resilience. However, the state of flow did not moderate the mediation process. These results underscore that game-bullying affects more than just gaming addicts, highlighting the crucial roles of self-esteem and resilience. The findings suggest expanding the SOR model to account for personality traits susceptible to GBV, an emerging psychological harm.

---

Keywords

---