Post-gaming return to reality: a key factor in predicting the positive and negative outcomes of escapism

Background and aimsEscapism is a key gaming motive associated with both psychological relief and Gaming Disorder. Yet, existing models often neglect the dynamic role of goal attainment in shaping gaming outcomes. Drawing on Goal Systems Theory, we introduce the construct of Post-Gaming Return (PGR)—a state reflecting successful psychological transition from gameplay to real life—as a potential explanatory mechanism of adaptive and maladaptive escapist play.MethodsTwo studies were conducted with active gamers (Study 1: N = 259; Study 2: N = 193). Participants completed the PGR scale along with validated measures of escapism, mood, need satisfaction and frustration, vitality, life satisfaction, and gaming disorder (GD) symptoms. Regression analyses tested the predictive and discriminant validity of PGR across both samples.ResultsPGR was positively associated with post-game positive mood and need satisfaction, and negatively with negative mood and need frustration. In both studies, PGR predicted vitality and lower GD symptoms beyond escapism motives. The two PGR subscales—ease of disengagement from the game and ease of re-engagement in daily activities—differentially predicted outcomes: disengagement was the strongest negative predictor of GD, while re-engagement was associated with vitality and life satisfaction. In Study 2, PGR showed weak correlations with general mood and apathy, supporting its discriminant validity.Discussion and conclusionsThe findings support a shift from static motivation-based models toward a dynamic goal-resolution framework. PGR captures key post-gaming processes and helps distinguish between healthy and problematic escapist play. It offers a novel tool for identifying regulatory success or failure in gaming contexts.