| This qualitative research identified psycho-spiritual components in the phenomenology of Xbox home console Multi-Player Online First-Person Shooter (MOFPS) videogaming for 15 young adults between the ages of 18 and 23. Seven themes of Fun and Relaxing, Authenticity in a Virtual World, Safe Adult Place to Anger, Talking as Important, Gender Issues, Participant Beliefs, and Potential for Addiction were identified and evaluated for converging sub-themes and implications in pastoral counseling. A brief history of the use of technology resulted in a list of predominate elements that also apply to MOFPS videogaming. Both positive and negative psycho-spiritual components were also determined. Overall, the participants of this study perceived MOFPS videogaming as a fun and social means for adult entertainment that was practical, economical, and safe. The use of voice over headset in MOFPS videogaming was indicated as integral to the enhanced level of interpersonal trust, knowing, community, and verbal communication, which included angry and non-angry cursing. Negative implications included the use of negative talk, the potential for addiction, self-muting for women, and the substitution of this virtual community for offline fellowship. |
