Development and validation of the RAFFLE; a measure of reasons and facilitators for loot box engagement
Abstract
Qualitative studies have identified a diverse array of motivations for purchasing items within video games through chance-based mechanisms (i.e., “loot boxes”). Given that some individuals—particularly those at risk of disordered gaming and/or gambling—are prone to over-involvement with loot box purchasing, it is important to have a reliable, valid means of measuring the role of different motivations in driving purchasing behaviour. Building on prior qualitative re-search, this paper reports the development and validation of the “RAFFLE” scale, to measure the Reasons and Facilitators for Loot box Engagement. A 23-item, seven-factor scale was developed through cognitive interviews (n = 25) followed by two surveys of UK-based gamers who purchase loot boxes; analysed via exploratory (n = 503) and confirmatory (n = 1495) factor analysis, respectively. Subscales encompassed “enhancement’; “progression’; “social pressure’; “distraction/com-pulsion’; “altruism’; “fear of missing out’; and “resale”. The scale showed good criterion and con-struct validity (correlating well with measures of loot box engagement; the risky loot box index (r = 0.63) and monthly self-reported spend (r = 0.38)), and good internal validity (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84). Parallels with, and divergence from, motivations for related activities of gaming and gambling, and alignment with broader theoretical models of motivation, are discussed.Citation
Lloyd J, Nicklin LL, Spicer SG, Fullwood C, Uther M, Hinton DP, Parke J, Lloyd H, Close J. (2021) Development and Validation of the RAFFLE: A Measure of Reasons and Facilitators for Loot Box Engagement. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(24):5949. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10245949Publisher
MDPIJournal
Journal of Clinical MedicinePubMed ID
34945245 (pubmed)Additional Links
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/24/5949Type
Journal articleLanguage
enDescription
© 2021 The Authors. Published by MDPI. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10245949ISSN
2077-0383EISSN
2077-0383Sponsors
This research was funded by a research grant from GambleAware.ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.3390/jcm10245949
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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