Year of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Communication Studies

Department or School/College

Communication Studies

Committee Chair

Dr. Joel Iverson

Commitee Members

Dr. Stephen Yoshimura, Michael Cassens

Keywords

Esports, Toxicity, Gaming, University of Montana, Social Connection, Student Affairs

Subject Categories

Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication | Organizational Communication

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Tonne, Julia, M.A., Spring 2024 Communication Studies

Minimizing Toxicity and Maximizing Social Connection in Collegiate Esports Teams

Chairperson: Dr. Joel Iverson

Given possible benefits of social connection, the researcher analyzes how participation in the University of Montana’s Esports team influences students’ feelings of connection and their well-being. Participating in online gaming is associated with the risk of interacting with toxic behavior, especially for women and other minorities. The researcher further explores how toxic situations relate to feelings of social connection and well-being. Positive themes discovered include increased feelings of social connection for students in the program, experiences of social support and stress relief, and professional and personal development of social/communication skills. Negative themes discovered included identity-based harm and responses of the program to harm, favoritism, and inconsistent responses to toxicity from leadership, and the lingering effects of inequity within the online gaming environment. Research establishes how the University of Montana esports community succeeds at creating social opportunities for students, which can act as a blueprint for other esports or student affairs organizations.

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© Copyright 2024 Julia Kay Tonne