The paper ‘Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire in a Sample of College Students’ by Alexandre Infanti, Carlos Valls-Serrano, Joël Billieux and José C. Perales published in The Spanish Journal of Psychology has been chosen as the Editor’s Choice Article for August 2024.

Motives are fundamental to our daily functioning, representing the desirable or undesirable goals that initiate and guide our behaviors. There are very few actions that cannot be linked to a personal motive. An example of this is innate reflexes, such as sucking and swallowing, which are automatic, involuntary behaviors essential for survival and not influenced by personal motives or learned experiences. In contrast, most human behaviors are driven by motives of varying nature. Understanding these motives is a complex task because just a single behavior such as playing videogames, can be influenced by multiple underlying factors.

From a psychological perspective, delving into the motives underlying our behaviors offers profound insights into both adaptive and maladaptive patterns. This exploration enhances our understanding of various pathological behaviors. Traditionally, mental disorders have been diagnosed based on the mere presence or absence of specific behaviors. While this approach provides a useful framework for identifying maladaptive patterns, it is not without its limitations. Certain behaviors might be linked to a disorder, but a more nuanced examination of the underlying motives can shift and refine our diagnostic perspective. This perspective can reveal a deeper, more intricate understanding of the behavior in question, allowing us to discern between those that are genuinely problematic and those that are not.

To understand this last point, let’s consider the example of video game use. Recent debates within the scientific community have questioned whether excessive video gaming should be classified as an addictive disorder. While evidence suggests that some gaming behaviors can be maladaptive, focusing solely on superficial aspects such as the amount of time spent playing might lead to misdiagnosing individuals. For instance, professional gamers and those who play as a hobby while maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle could be miscategorized. A more comprehensive approach, examining the underlying motives and the impact on daily functioning, is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Given these complexities, there has been a significant increase in studies examining behavioral addictions and the role of motives in distinguishing between pathological and non-pathological behaviors. For example, instruments like the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire have been developed to assess various motives associated with online gaming. These tools have revealed that motives related to escapism are closely linked to the potential presence of a gaming disorder. In contrast, motives such as socialization are less associated with gaming disorders, indicating that not all gaming motives have the same psychological impact.

In our recent study, we explored the motives driving Spanish gamers, examining both gender differences and the connection to risky behaviors associated with internet gaming disorder, such as the consumption of loot boxes. By investigating these underlying motives, this article provides a more nuanced understanding of the factors influencing gaming behaviors. This approach also helps distinguish between actions that indicate a genuine disorder and those that reflect a balanced and healthy lifestyle.