Esport: The risks and benefits of pursuing a professional esports career - A qualitative study
Author
Pagter, Casper Lykke
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-08-15
Pages
69
Abstract
This thesis responds to the rapid growth of esports and the rising interest among young people in pursuing it as a professional career by addressing an identified research gap on both negative and positive health-related consequences. It asks: What are the possible negative and positive consequences of pursuing a career as an esports athlete? Data were gathered through four qualitative interviews with current or former professional esports athletes and analyzed using directed content analysis to assess whether existing findings could be supported or extended. The results largely support and complement prior studies. Reported negative consequences included worsening eyesight, irregular or insufficient sleep, back and wrist pain, potentially lethal repercussions, identity loss upon career exit, changes in temperament, gaming addiction, sacrificing personal life, missing family events, neglecting relationships, dropping out of school to pursue esports, and harassment. At the same time, participants described multiple benefits, such as improved physical activity and, for some, sleep; personal development; acquisition of competences; improved mood; faster reaction time; enhanced multitasking and decision making; stronger ability to work under pressure; new friendships; social support and comfort from teammates; improved social behavior and teamwork; increased job opportunities; and improved academic abilities. Two specific insights emerged: (1) sleep can be affected both negatively and positively, with the athlete’s level of professionalism potentially being a key factor, and (2) prolonged exposure to high game volume may pose a physical health risk. Overall, the findings portray a nuanced balance of risks and benefits and highlight the need for further research.
Denne specialeundersøgelse tager udgangspunkt i den hurtige vækst i esport og den stigende interesse blandt unge for at forfølge en professionel esportskarriere. På baggrund af et forskningshul vedrørende både de negative og positive sundhedsmæssige konsekvenser belyser studiet forskningsspørgsmålet: Hvilke mulige negative og positive konsekvenser indebærer en karriere som esportsatlet? Data blev indsamlet gennem fire kvalitative interviews med nuværende eller tidligere professionelle esportsatleter og analyseret med en rettet indholdsanalyse for at afklare, om eksisterende fund kunne understøttes eller suppleres. Resultaterne understøtter og udbygger meget af den eksisterende litteratur. De rapporterede negative konsekvenser omfattede blandt andet forværret syn, uregelmæssig eller utilstrækkelig søvn, smerter i ryg og håndled, potentielt livstruende følger, identitetstab ved karrierestop, temperamentændringer, spilafhængighed, fravalg af privatliv, fravær fra familiebegivenheder, forsømmede relationer, skolefrafald for at satse på esport samt chikane. Samtidig fremhævede deltagerne en række positive konsekvenser, herunder forbedret fysisk aktivitet og for nogle også søvn, personlig udvikling, kompetenceopbygning, bedre humør, hurtigere reaktionstid, bedre multitasking og beslutningstagning, stærkere evne til at arbejde under pres, nye venskaber, social støtte og tryghed fra holdkammerater, forbedret social adfærd og samarbejdsevne, øgede jobmuligheder samt forbedrede akademiske færdigheder. To særlige observationer fremkom: (1) søvn påvirkes både negativt og positivt, hvor graden af professionalisme kan være en afgørende faktor, og (2) langvarig eksponering for høj spilvolumen kan udgøre en fysisk sundhedsrisiko. Fundene peger samlet på et komplekst risici–gevinster-billede og understreger behovet for yderligere forskning.
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