Torn Between Worlds: A Qualitative Analysis of How Gamers Make Sense of Feeling Stuck Between Their Virtual and Real Lives

This study explores the experiences of long-term adult gamers who feel 'stuck' between their real and virtual lives, focusing on players of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) ‘World of Warcraft: Classic’. Embedded within a pragmatic worldview, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed to uncover the nuanced meanings and underlying constructs of problematic gaming (PG). Six male participants were interviewed, and the analysis revealed four Group Experiential Themes: "Escape to Neverland," "Fool’s Paradise," "Rise from the Ashes, Fall from Grace," and "From a Familiar Hell to an Uncertain Future." These themes reflect the deep antagonistic friction between participants' parallel existences, where the empowerment and relief found in virtual worlds sharply contrast with the disconnection and discomfort felt in real life (IRL).

The research highlights the immobilising effects of compounded opportunity costs and the cyclical reenactments of unresolved trauma within gaming contexts. It advocates for a therapeutic approach that views long-term gaming not as a weakness of character but as a meaningful response to underlying pain. Counselling psychologists and allied practitioners are encouraged to explore the specific nuances of gaming behaviours, supporting clients in integrating their online and offline identities and fostering genuine growth.

This study makes a significant contribution by offering new insights and practical suggestions for complementary interventions tailored to long-term gamers, a demographic often overlooked in current treatment models. The researcher’s own journey of recovery, combined with reflexive practices, ensured that the findings were deeply attuned to the participants' lived experiences. By illuminating the psychological mechanisms that keep gamers entrenched in virtual worlds, this research lays the groundwork for more effective clinical interventions and calls for broader research into the experiences of adult gamers, aiming to empower them to reclaim their lives and futures.