Mindscapes of the Gamer: A Phenomenological Study of Internet Gaming Disorder among Sri Lankan Adolescents

Abstract

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has emerged as a significant mental health concern among adolescents, undermining psychological well-being, academic performance, and interpersonal relationships. In Sri Lanka, stringent cultural values, such as strict familial hierarchies and high expectations for academic excellence, and intense educational pressures, shape gaming experiences. This study examined adolescentgamers’ lived experiences through in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven participants recruited via snowball sampling from online gaming communities. Participants were active gamers who reported significant daily-life disruptions. Interviews (30–40 minutes) were transcribed verbatim and analysed iteratively to ensure thematic credibility. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis guided thematic exploration. Four superordinate themes emerged: Mindscapes of the Gamer; Connected Yet Fragmented; When Escape Becomes the Only Escape; and The Real Cost of Virtual Victories. This paper focuses on the Mindscapes of the Gamer theme, comprising two subthemes, Escaping Real-Life Stress and Gaming’s Effects on Thoughts and Actions, to illustrate gaming’s dual role as a refuge and a cognitive intruder. Participants described gaming as providing immediate emotional relief from academic and familial stress, yet their accounts revealed lingering mental preoccupations that disrupted concentration, decision-making, academic engagement, and self-care. Excessive gaming was also associated with academic neglect anddeterioration in self-care practices, compounding its adverse effects on mental health. Some adolescents reported enhanced self-worth and social validation, reflecting literature on digital belonging. These findings uncover a paradox in which brief relief may lead to enduring cognitive and emotional challenges. The paper underscores the need for culturally tailored interventions combining emotion-regulation training with strategies to interrupt gaming-related rumination. Focusing solely on Mindscapes of theGamer delivers in-depth psychological insights and actionable guidance for fostering resilience among adolescents in pressured environments.