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

INTRODUCTION: Escapism is a key gaming motive associated with both psychological relief and Gaming Disorder (GD). Yet, existing models often neglect the dynamic role of goal attainment 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. METHODS: Two 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 GD symptoms. Regression analyses tested the predictive and discriminant validity of PGR across samples. RESULTS: PGR was positively associated with post-game positive mood and need satisfaction, and negatively with negative mood and need frustration. In both studies, PGR was associated with higher 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 associations with general mood and apathy. Across samples, PGR and IGD were strongly related but better represented as distinct latent factors, and PGR explained additional variance in several adaptive and maladaptive outcomes beyond IGD symptoms. CONCLUSION: The findings support a shift from static motivation-based models toward a dynamic goal-resolution framework. PGR captures key post-gaming processes and may help distinguish between more adaptive and more maladaptive forms of escapist play. It offers a novel tool for assessing post-game regulatory disengagement in gaming.