Escapism from the Self, Not from the World: A Crucial but Overlooked Distinction in Gaming Disorder Research

Since its formal recognition, Gaming Disorder (GD) has attracted significant research attention, with gaming motivation consistently identified as a key factor in its development. Among various motives for gaming, escapism shows one of the strongest and most consistent associations with problematic gaming. However, previous studies have mostly conceptualized escapism as withdrawal from the external world, overlooking the role of self-related processes. This study aimed to distinguish between escapism from the world (EW) and escapism from the self (ES) and to examine their respective relationships with GD, stress, and well-being. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 142 participants (82 women, 57 men, 3 other; Mₐge = 18. 99, SD = 0. 37). Validated instruments assessed gaming motives, GD symptoms, stress, well-being, and vitality. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression and mediation models. ES, but not EW, uniquely predicted GD symptoms. ES fully mediated the relationship between EW and GD, indicating that withdrawal from the external world contributes to problematic gaming only when it reflects avoidance of the Self. Similarly, ES mediated the association between stress and GD, whereas EW did not. Furthermore, ES was negatively associated with well-being and vitality, while EW showed no significant correlations. These findings suggest that escapism from the Self constitutes a maladaptive pathway to GD and is consistently linked with reduced well-being and vitality. In contrast, escapism from the external world alone does not appear to contribute directly to problematic gaming. Targeting self-related escapism may improve intervention strategies for GD. • We distinguish escapism from the world (EW) and escapism from the self (ES). • ES, but not EW, uniquely predicts Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) symptoms. • ES fully mediates the link between EW and IGD, highlighting self-avoidance. • Stress contributes to IGD only through ES, not through EW. • ES is consistently linked to lower well-being and vitality, unlike EW.