Psychosocial Dynamics of E-sports and Digital Games: A Conceptual Review

Abstract

Abstract

This study aims to examine the psychosocial effects of digital games and e-sports on individuals within a conceptual framework. Specifically, the literature discusses the role they play in young people's identity development processes, sense of belonging, and social interaction environments. In today's modern world, the gradual decline of physical playgrounds, urbanization, technological advancements, and popular culture are driving young people toward digital gaming environments, shifting their social relationships and identity-building processes to digital platforms. The increasing institutionalization of e-sports gaming platforms has brought to the forefront factors such as gender roles, economic structures, social relationships, and career opportunities for young people. This article examines both the supportive and risky aspects of digital games on mental health from a multifaceted perspective. The research includes literature findings on how social belonging integrates with social norms and psychological resilience in digital gaming environments. This study was structured conceptually using a qualitative approach. Document analysis, a qualitative research method, was used, and national and international academic publications, books, and peer-reviewed articles were examined. The research reveals that digital games are not merely entertainment tools; they are also multidimensional spaces where individuals construct their social identities, meet their psychological needs, and interact with cultural structures.