How do avatars shape the identity of adolescents? The development and validation of the Proteus Effect scale for adolescents

How do avatars shape the identity of adolescents? 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The development and validation of the Proteus Effect scale for adolescents İbrahim Taş, Emine Göçet Tekin, Ayşenur Aşkın This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8744245/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Avatar-based multiplayer online games and video games are becoming increasingly popular as entertainment tools worldwide. The interaction between players and their avatars is of growing interest to researchers exploring the psychological dynamics of gaming experiences. Objective This study aimed to develop and validate the "Proteus Effect Scale for Adolescents" to examine how digital games influence adolescents' identities. Methods Using criterion sampling, four distinct groups of adolescents were selected based on their engagement with digital gaming. The development of the scale began with a 15-item pilot test, which was refined through expert feedback and subsequent pilot testing, resulting in a final 10-item scale. The validity of the scale was assessed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Criterion-related validity was established by examining correlations with game addiction and neuroticism. Reliability was measured through internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Results EFA indicated a single factor explaining 50.029% of the variance, with a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of .897 and a significant Bartlett’s Sphericity test (χ²= 2908.75, p=.000). CFA confirmed the unidimensional structure of the scale with strong fit indices: Chi-Square/df = 2.891, RMR = .035, GFI = .94, AGFI = .91, CFI = .93, NFI = .90, IFI = .93, and RMSEA = .074. The scale showed significant correlations with game addiction (r = .526, p < .01) and neuroticism (r = .137, p < .01). Reliability analysis demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .87) and test-retest reliability (r = .75, p < .05). Conclusions The Proteus Effect Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing avatar-player identification among adolescents. It shows strong psychometric properties and can be used to explore the influence of digital games on adolescent identity development. Proteus Effect Adolescents Avatar Identification Factor Analysis Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Introduction The rapid growth of digital gaming environments, particularly avatar-based multiplayer online games, has transformed the way individuals perceive themselves and interact with the world around them. For adolescents, who are navigating a critical period of identity development, emotional regulation, and socialization, digital avatars provide a virtual mirror—both a reflection of the self and a projection of idealized characteristics [ 1 , 2 ]. Among the most influential theoretical concepts emerging from this phenomenon is the Proteus Effect , which describes how users’ behaviors and attitudes conform to the characteristics of their avatars [ 3 ]. As avatars are imbued with varying levels of attractiveness, power, and sociability, users begin to internalize these traits and translate them into real-world attitudes and behaviors [ 4 , 5 ]. This process of identification and internalization is not merely symbolic but has demonstrable emotional, behavioral, and psychological consequences, especially for adolescents whose identities are in a state of active formation. The theoretical underpinnings of the Proteus Effect are grounded in Self-Perception Theory [ 6 ], which posits that individuals infer their own attitudes and emotions by observing their behaviors. When an adolescent engages with a powerful, beautiful, or successful avatar, the repetitive experience of performing such a role may lead to internalizing these traits as part of the self-concept [ 3 , 7 ]. This is particularly salient during adolescence, a developmental stage characterized by increased identity exploration, emotional reactivity, and vulnerability to social feedback [ 1 , 2 , 8 ]. During this period, adolescents are more susceptible to media influences that provide symbolic or virtual platforms for identity testing and construction [ 9 ]. In addition to self-perception theory, Bandura’s [ 10 ] Social Cognitive Theory provides a valuable framework for understanding how avatar characteristics can shape adolescents’ self-efficacy and affect regulation. Bandura emphasized the role of vicarious learning and symbolic modeling, processes that are increasingly mediated through avatars in digital contexts. For example, studies have shown that adolescents who play with avatars that are idealized or enhanced versions of themselves report higher confidence and assertiveness immediately after gameplay [ 3 , 11 ]. Likewise, avatars with aggressive traits have been shown to increase aggressive behaviors and attitudes in players [ 12 , 13 , 14 ], while avatars that promote prosocial traits can increase cooperation and empathy [ 15 ]. The Proteus Effect is also informed by the Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects (SIDE model) [ 16 ], which suggests that immersion in virtual environments enables individuals to adopt socially constructed roles more easily due to anonymity and group dynamics. Through avatars, adolescents are not only expressing individualized identities but also conforming to group norms embedded within gaming culture. These virtual roles and norms can significantly impact how adolescents view themselves and behave offline [ 17 , 18 ]. Research has documented how adolescents experiment with gender identity, dominance roles, and emotional expression through avatars, often resulting in transference of those experiences to real-world settings [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Despite growing interest in avatar-related psychological effects, the Proteus Effect remains underexplored in adolescent populations , particularly in non-Western contexts. While adult populations have been the focus of most empirical investigations [3,22, adolescents represent a uniquely important group due to their developmental sensitivity and the increasing prevalence of game engagement among youth globally [ 23 , 24 ]. Currently available instruments measuring avatar identification or the Proteus Effect are often either ad hoc (e.g., using single items or game-specific measures), adapted from adult scales, or lacking in developmental sensitivity and cultural adaptation [ 25 , 26 ]. Furthermore, most of these instruments have not undergone rigorous psychometric validation using both EFA and CFA, nor have they been tested across diverse adolescent samples, especially in non-Western regions where gaming dynamics may differ. To address these critical gaps, the present study developed and validated the Proteus Effect Scale for Adolescents (PESA) -a 10-item unidimensional scale designed to assess the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive aspects of avatar-player identification in adolescents. The scale development was grounded in both theory and empirical evidence. The items reflect a broad range of experiences consistent with the Proteus Effect, including avatar-based emotional reactivity (e.g., feeling depressed when the avatar fails), behavioral mirroring (e.g., dressing like the avatar), and perceived self-enhancement (e.g., feeling more confident or sociable after avatar achievements). The psychometric evaluation included both Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to establish the construct validity of the scale. Criterion-related validity was examined by assessing correlations with game addiction and neuroticism, two constructs previously shown to relate closely to avatar identification and immersion [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency and test-retest reliability, ensuring the stability and robustness of the scale. By offering a developmentally and culturally appropriate tool for measuring the Proteus Effect, this study contributes a much-needed instrument for advancing research in adolescent digital identity formation. Method Research Sample The scale development study was conducted with four separate groups of adolescents living in Turkey, using criterion sampling, which selects individuals based on predefined criteria [31]. This method was suitable given the focus on adolescents engaged in digital gaming. The initial group (pretrial application) consisted of 55 adolescents aged 10 to 18, with a mean age of 13.84; gender distribution included 36 (65.5%) males and 19 (34.5%) females. The second group (trial application), comprising 327 individuals, underwent Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and included 151 (46.2%) females and 175 (53.5%) males, with one participant not specifying their gender. The age range of the group was between 10-18 years and the average age was 15.40 and this group reported an average daily internet usage of 3.5 hours without specific purpose and 4.11 hours of gaming. The third group (trial application) included 350 individuals analyzed with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), with 199 (56.9%) females and 151 (43.1%) males. The age range of the group was between 10-18 years and the average age was 14.53. Their average daily internet usage and gaming duration were 3.22 hours and 3.51 hours, respectively. The fourth group (test-retest group) consisted of 45 adolescents aged 13-15, with a mean age of 14; gender distribution included 25 (55.6%) female and 20 (44.4%) males for test-retest analysis. Data Collection Tools Proteus Effect Scale: The Proteus Effect Scale, consisting of 10 items, was administered as a primary tool in the main study. The scale was developed on Turkish adolescents, using a 5-point frequency response format, 1= Never to 5= Always Adolescent Gaming Addiction Scale: The scale was developed by Anlı & Taş [32] for the Turkish adolescent population. Its validity and reliability have been established in the Turkish population. This scale consists of 9 items and is structured as a 5-point Likert-type scale with a single dimension. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess construct validity. The exploratory factor analysis showed that one factor accounted for 42.806% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed satisfactory fit indices: X² (27) = 2.514, RMR = .045; GFI = .97; AGFI = .95; CFI = .96; IFI = .96; RFI = .92; NFI = .94; RMSEA = .054. Reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha resulted in an internal consistency coefficient of .81, indicating satisfactory reliability. The 10-Item Big Five Inventory (BFI-10): The Big Five Inventory, initially developed by Rammstedt & John [33], was adapted to Turkish culture by Horzum, et al. [34]. Its validity and reliability have been established in the Turkish population. This five-point Likert-type scale consists of 10 items across five sub-dimensions. To evaluate its construct validity, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were performed. EFA confirmed the original five-factor structure, with variances explained as follows: Extraversion (19%), Agreeableness (15%), Conscientiousness (18%), Neuroticism (4.7%), and Openness to Experience (30%). CFA showed excellent model fit: χ² = 46.139, N = 25, p = 0.00, RMSEA = 0.062, GFI = 0.96, AGFI = 0.91, CFI = 0.98, NFI = 0.97, and SRMR = 0.035. Reliability analysis revealed high internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.88 for Extraversion, 0.81 for Agreeableness, 0.90 for Conscientiousness, 0.85 for Neuroticism, and 0.84 for Openness to Experience. Thus, the Turkish adaptation of the 10-Item Big Five Inventory is a reliable and valid tool for assessing personality traits in academic research. Data Collection and Analysis Data were collected online from adolescents who voluntarily completed the forms, with ethics committee approval obtained for the research. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Since the participants were under the age of 16, informed consent was obtained from their parents/legal guardians. This study was conducted in strict accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee at ….. University. Participants took an average of 15-20 minutes to fill out the scale items. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25 and AMOS 25 software. Validity was assessed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, while reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's Alpha, McDonald’s Omega, item-total correlations, test-retest analysis, and t-tests for the upper and lower 27% values. Scale Development Process In this study, the Proteus Effect Scale was developed to determine the effects of digital games on adolescents' identity changes. The scale was developed to specifically assess how adolescents identify with their avatars in digital gaming environments. Identification in this context refers to the psychological process through which players see themselves in their avatars, internalize their avatars’ characteristics, and form an emotional or cognitive connection to them. The scale items focus on aspects of how closely the player identifies with the avatar, such as experiencing the avatar’s emotions, aligning with the avatar's goals, and feeling a strong personal connection to the avatar. The emphasis is on the identification process itself, rather than how the identification impacts behavior or emotions outside the game. During the development of the scale, particular attention was given to ensuring its brevity, cost-effectiveness, and functionality. Initially, a literature review was conducted [3,35,36], and a 15-item 5-point Likert-type scale ("Never", "Rarely", "Sometimes", "Often", and "Always") was designed. For content validity, feedback was obtained from six experts in the fields of Counseling and Guidance, Psychology, Measurement and Evaluation, and Turkish Language and Literature. Based on the feedback received from the experts, revisions were made. For example; The statement "Even in class, at home, or outside with my friends, my mind is always on my avatar's achievements" has been changed to "Even in class, at home or outside playing with my friends, my mind is always on my avatar's achievements" in line with the expert opinion. “The items, “I feel less confident in real life when my avatar fails in the game”, and “When things don't go my way in the game, I can be very angry with the people around me” were removed from the scale. After necessary revisions were made to other items as requested, the final version of the scale (13-items) was established. Pretrial application The scale developed should be applied to a small group to represent the target group to determine the psychometric properties of the scale. The final version of the 13-item scale was administered as a pretrial application to 55 individuals. It was observed that some items (3 items) were not fully understood, and these items were subsequently removed from the final version. For example, items such as “Even in class, at home, or out and about playing with friends, my mind is constantly on my avatar's achievements”, “When my avatar is prettier/more handsome in the game, I become more sociable and sociable in real life” and “When my avatar loses, I don't have any energy, I don't want to do anything” were excluded from the scale. Subsequently, the remaining 10 items were used for further applications. Trial Application In the trial application, a scale consisting of 10 items were applied. Data were collected from 380 participants for exploratory factor analysis. Participants who reported not playing any games were excluded from the dataset, resulting in 327 remaining participants for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). In the second part of the factor analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted. For this, data were collected from 386 participants. Participants who reported not playing any games were excluded from the dataset, resulting in 350 participants for CFA. Results In this study, the "Proteus Effect: Avatar-Player Identification Scale for Adolescents" was developed. In line with this objective, factor analysis and reliability analysis were conducted, and the results are presented below. Validity Study Exploratory Factor Analysis For exploratory factor analysis, a scale consisting of 10 items was applied to 327 adolescents. To assess the suitability of the data for factor analysis, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy was examined first. The KMO value was found to be .881 (p = .000), indicating that the sample was adequate for conducting factor analysis [37]. Additionally, Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity yielded a significant result (χ² = 1497.52, p = .000), further confirming the appropriateness of the data for factor analysis. Following the evaluation of data suitability, an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted. The EFA results indicated a two-factor structure for the scale. The eigenvalue of the first factor is 5.003, and the eigenvalue of the second factor is 1.008. An eigenvalue above 1 is not considered sufficient to decide on the number of factors [38,39]. Deciding only on the basis of eigenvalue leads to the emergence of more or less factors. Instead, the scree plot test seems to be more appropriate in deciding the number of factors [40,41]. The Scree Plot test (see Figure 1) led to the decision that a unidimensional structure would be more functional. The eigenvalue and variance explained by the Proteus Impact scale for 10-item one-dimensional adolescents obtained as a result of the Principal Axis Factoring Analysis are given in Table 1. Table 1. Eigenvalues and contributions to explained variance of the factor structure obtained from principal axis factoring analysis of the 10-item proteus effect scale Factor Eigenvalue Explained variance (%) Total variance (%) 1 5.003 50.029 50.029 In Table 1, the principal axis factoring analysis results indicated that the single-factor structure of the scale had an eigenvalue of 5.003 and explained 50.029% of the variance. it can be stated that the factor structure of the scale is valid [42]. The scree plot graphically illustrates information about the factor structure of the scale. The scree plot for the 10-item scale is provided below. As seen in Figure 1, the slope flattens after the second point, indicating a plateau. Therefore, it can be concluded that the scale exhibits a single-factor structure. Table 2 provides the arithmetic means, standard deviations, factor communalities, item factor loading values, and item-total correlations of the Proteus Effect Scale for Adolescents. According to Table 2, the factor communalities of the items range from .354 to .624. It can be observed that the communalities of the items are all greater than .10, indicating that there are no items that need to be removed from the scale. Furthermore, the factor loading values of the items range from .595 to .790, which are higher than the acceptable value of .32 [43]. Convergent Validity Convergent validity analysis of the unidimensional structure was conducted on the remaining 10 items. Convergent validity assesses the extent to which scale items are related to each other and their underlying factor. Average Variance Extracted (AVE) was used as the criterion, with a threshold of >.50 indicating acceptable convergent validity [44]. 10-item scale demonstrated satisfactory convergent validity, with an AVE value exceeding .50. Composite reliability (CR) for the 10-item version was calculated as .908, indicating a high level of internal consistency. Confirmatory Factor Analysis Confirmatory factor analysis for the ten-item scale was conducted following the exploratory factor analysis to test the single-factor structure revealed by the exploratory factor analysis. The fit indices of the obtained model are generally at a good level. The path diagram of the CFA model is shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 presents standardized beta values showing the factor loadings of each item. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis are provided in Table 3. Table 3. Results of confirmatory factor analysis Items λ * R 2 t PE1 .48 .48 PE2 .51 .51 6.88*** PE3 .69 .69 8.06*** PE4 .53 .53 7.06*** PE5 .60 .60 7.51*** PE6 .59 .59 7.47*** PE7 .73 .73 8.25*** PE8 .47 .47 6.50*** PE9 .63 .63 7.70*** PE10 .68 .68 8.00*** *Item factor loading, ***p<.000 In Table 3, item factor loadings range from .48 to .73, exceeding the accepted threshold of .32 [43]. The t-values from the confirmatory factor analysis range between 6.50 and 8.25, indicating statistical significance (p < .01). t-values above 1.96 suggest significance at the .05 level, while those exceeding 2.33 indicate significance at the .01 level [39]. Thus, the t-values of the items show significance at the .01 level. The R-square values for the items exceed .32, indicating that each item explains at least 10% of the total variance of the scale [45]. Collectively, these values suggest the model is valid. The fit index values for the confirmatory factor analysis are shown in Table 4. Table 4. Fit index values for the ten-item scale confirmatory factor analysis Goodness of Fit Index Obtained Values Acceptable Values* X 2 /Sd 2.891 ≤ 5 Sd 35 RMR .035 ≤ .05 SRMR .050 ≤ .08 GFI .94 ≥ .90 AGFI .91 ≥ .90 CFI .93 ≥ .90 NFI .90 ≥ .90 IFI .93 ≥ .90 TLI .91 ≥ .90 RMSEA .074 ≤ .08 Note: Hu and Bentler (1999); CMIN/df: Relative Chi-Square Index; GFI: Goodness of Fit Index; CFI: Comparative Fit Index; NFI: Normed Fit Index; IFI Incremental Fit Index); TLI: Tucker Lewis Index; RMR: Root Mean Square Residuals; SRMR: Standardized Root Mean Square Residuals; RMSEA: Root Mean Square Error of Approximation. When examining the fit indices presented in Table 4, the following values are obtained for the scale: CMIN/df is 2.891, RMR is .035, SRMR is .050, GFI is 0.94, AGFI is 0.91, CFI is 0.93, NFI is 0.90, and IFI is 0.93, TLI is 0.91. Additionally, the RMSEA value is 0.074, which falls within the acceptable range. The obtained values indicate that the scale demonstrates a good fit (Bentler & Bonett, 1980). The confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA) results for women [χ2 (35, N=199) =94.22, p<.001, GFI=0.91; IFI=.90; CFI=0.90; RMR=0.041; SRMR=0.061, RMSEA=0.092] and men [χ2 (35, N=251) =79.80, p<.001, GFI=0.91; IFI=.90; CFI=0.90; RMR=0.051; SRMR=0.067, RMSEA=0.092] samples also provided an acceptable fit to the data[46]. Concurrent Validity The concurrent validity study was conducted with a third group consisting of 350 participants. In this study, the relationships between the Proteus Effect Scale, gaming addiction, social exclusion, and the personality traits were examined. To provide additional evidence for the validity of the developed scale, a concurrent validity analysis was conducted. For this purpose, the relationship between PESA and gaming addiction, personality traits, and social exclusion was examined. The relationships between the variables were tested using Pearson correlation. The results obtained from the analyses revealed a moderate positive relationship between PESA and gaming addiction (r= .526, p<.01), and a low positive relationship with neuroticism (r= .137, p<.05), extraversion (r= .137, p<.05), self-control (r= .123, p<.05), the average daily time spent on the internet (r= .241, p<.05), and the daily time spent playing games (r= .175, p.05), openness to experience (r=.067, p>.05), and social exclusion (r=.026, p>.05). Participants’ average daily time spent on the internet (M=3.22 hours) and on gaming (M=3.52 hours) exceeded 3 hours. It is seen that PESA is related to neuroticism, extraversion, self-control, and gaming addiction, which are theoretically expected to be related according to the literature; and unrelated to social exclusion, agreeableness, and openness to experience, thereby supporting the concurrent validity. Reliability Study Reliability analysis was conducted for both EFA and CFA groups. To assess the reliability of the scale, internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach's alpha), item-total correlations, test-retest reliability, and t-test analyses for upper and lower 27% values were conducted. Firstly, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, Cronbach's alpha values after removing items, McDonald’s Omega and item-total correlation values were examined. The results of Cronbach Alpha test are presented in Table 5. Table 5. Cronbach's Alpha and Item-Total Correlation Values EFA Group (N= 327) CFA Group (N= 350) Item No. Cronbach's alpha item deleted α Item-Total Correlation Cronbach's alpha item deleted α Item-Total Correlation PE1 .86 .87 .611 .82 .45 PE2 .85 .644 .81 .49 PE3 .85 .707 .80 .62 PE4 .86 .608 .82 .49 PE5 .86 .537 .81 .83 .53 PE6 .86 .547 .81 .51 PE7 .85 .706 .79 .65 PE8 .88 .437 .83 .44 PE9 .86 .631 .80 .56 PE10 .85 .673 .80 .59 In Table 5, the internal consistency coefficients and item-total correlations of the scale items are provided. It is observed that the Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the entire scale of the EFA group ( N= 327) is .87, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the entire scale of the CFA group ( N= 350) is .83 indicating that the scale is highly reliable [47]. Additionally, the item-total correlations of the EFA group ( N= 327) range from .44 to .71, and for CFA group ( N= 350) range from .44 to .65. An item-total correlation above .30 indicates that the item effectively discriminates individuals [39]. McDonald’s Omega Reliability Additionally, McDonald’s Omega reliability coefficient was calculated because it is considered a more sensitive index by researchers [48,49], as it estimates item factor loadings individually. The McDonald's Omega coefficient obtained from the group of 327 participants was .88 and the coefficient obtained from the group of 350 participants was .83, indicating high internal consistency. Test-Retest Reliability Test-retest analysis is one of the ways to measure the reliability of a scale. Test-retest reliability was assessed with a fourth group comprising 45 participants. The test-retest procedure was conducted with a one-month interval. A significant, positive, and high-level correlation (r = .75, p < .05) was found between the first and second measurements. This correlation indicates that there was no significant change in the scores over time and there was stability between the scores obtained from the measurements. Item Analysis Independent samples t-test was conducted to examine the disparity between the lower and upper 27% groups, which was utilized as a measure of internal consistency. For both the EFA group of 327 and the CFA group of 350 , the t-test values for the lower and upper 27% groups are found to be statistically significant (p ≤ .001). These significant findings obtained from the test suggest that the test exhibits a high level of internal consistency [50]. According to the results of the analysis used in the study, the scale is a valid and reliable scale in the Turkish adolescent population. Discussion The present study developed and validated the Proteus Effect Scale for Adolescents (PESA) , a 10-item unidimensional instrument assessing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of avatar-player identification. Through rigorous psychometric analyses -including EFA, CFA, and criterion-related validity assessments- the scale demonstrated strong internal consistency, construct validity, and significant associations with theoretically related constructs, including gaming addiction, extraversion, self-control, neuroticism average daily time spent on the internet and. These findings provide robust evidence for the scale’s utility in capturing the core mechanisms of the Proteus Effect among adolescents, a population for whom digital identity formation is particularly salient. By grounding the scale in self-perception theory [ 6 ] and the SIDE model [ 16 ], the findings affirmed that avatar characteristics do not merely remain confined to virtual spaces, but are psychologically embodied by the adolescent users, influencing self-concept, emotion regulation, and real-world behaviors [ 3 , 5 ]. Several items in the final scale reflected the degree to which avatars shape adolescents’ emotional responses ("When I lose my avatar, I withdraw into myself and don't want to talk to anyone "), behavioral intentions ("I try to dress like my avatar"), and even somatic embodiment ("I walk and act like my avatar"). These dynamics underscore the Proteus Effect as both a symbolic and embodied process of identity formation and reinforcement [ 22 , 51 ]. The results of the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a coherent and interpretable factor structure, supporting the construct validity of the scale. The Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a unidimensional structure of the scale. This result aligned with theoretical perspectives emphasizing the holistic nature of player-avatar relationships, where cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects often merge into a singular immersive experience [ 52 ]. This decision was further supported by statistical tests including the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett’s Sphericity test, indicating the suitability of the data for factor analysis [ 53 ]. The single-factor structure explained 50.029%, aligning with previous research indicating the dominance of core themes such as immersion and avatar identification in gaming experiences [ 54 , 55 ]. Moreover, the validity of the single-factor structure was further reinforced through Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) conducted separately for female and male participants. The model demonstrated an acceptable fit for both groups, with fit indices for females [χ²(35, N = 199) = 94.22, p<.001; GFI = .91; IFI = .90; CFI = .90; RMSEA = .092] and males [χ²(35, N = 251) = 79.80, p<.001; GFI = .91; IFI = .90; CFI = .90; RMSEA = .092] falling within recommended thresholds [ 56 , 57 ]. These findings support the configural invariance of the scale across genders, suggesting that the scale measures the Proteus Effect similarly for male and female adolescents. This result aligns with prior research suggesting that although there may be gender differences in gaming preferences, the psychological processes underlying avatar identification remain largely consistent across genders [ 58 , 59 ]. Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed the validity of the single-factor structure obtained from EFA. The fit indices for the Proteus Effect Scale indicated that the model demonstrated a good fit. Specifically, the Chi-Square/df ratio is 2.891, RMR is .035, the GFI is .94, and the AGFI is .91. Furthermore, the CFI stood at .93, the NFI was .90, and the IFI was .93. The RMSEA value was .074, which falls within the acceptable range (≤ .08). These values collectively suggested that the scale meets the criteria for a good fit, as outlined by Bentler and Bonett [ 60 ] (1980), thereby confirming the robustness and reliability of the Proteus Effect Scale in capturing the intended construct. Additionally, item factor loadings and t-values demonstrated statistical significance, indicating the reliability and validity of the scale. The criterion-related validity of the Proteus Effect Scale was evaluated by examining its relationship with game addiction and neuroticism. The positive correlation between PESA scores and gaming addiction supported earlier findings that heightened avatar identification may increase risk for problematic gaming behaviors [ 28 , 29 ] (Sioni et al., 2017; Zhang, Cao & Tian, 2024). For example, Billieux et al. [ 61 ] (2013) found that players who identified strongly with their avatars in online role-playing games were more likely to experience problematic gaming behaviors, as the emotional rewards of the game became tied to their avatar's success and progression. The Proteus Effect often reinforces positive feedback loops in gaming environments. For example, an adolescent controlling a powerful or attractive avatar may receive positive feedback from other players (e.g., praise, status recognition), which enhances the player’s self-esteem in the virtual world. This feedback loop can lead to excessive gameplay as players seek to continually replicate these positive experiences, reinforcing addictive behaviors. King et al. [ 62 ] stated that such reward mechanisms, combined with avatar identification, were strong predictors of gaming addiction. Adolescents who experience greater avatar-player fusion may become more emotionally invested in the game world, leading to increased time spent gaming, difficulty disengaging, and real-life impairments. This is consistent with previous research [ 17 ], which posits that users are drawn to games as environments where they can express or extend idealized aspects of their identity—especially appealing during adolescence, a stage marked by self-exploration and heightened sensitivity to appearance, performance, and peer evaluation [ 1 , 2 ]. Supporting the concurrent validity of the scale, PESA demonstrated moderate positive correlations with gaming addiction (r = .526, p < .01) and small positive correlations with neuroticism, extraversion, self-control, and daily time spent on the internet and gaming. These findings are consistent with previous studies highlighting avatar identification’s association with problematic gaming behaviors and emotional dispositions [ 22 , 63 ]. No significant relationships were found between PESA and agreeableness, openness to experience, or social exclusion, as theoretically anticipated [ 27 , 64 , 65 ], further strengthening the scale’s discriminant validity. Importantly, participants’ high average daily internet and gaming times suggest that the sample was well-suited for studying avatar-related phenomena, as intensive online engagement provides a fertile ground for Proteus Effect mechanisms to operate [ 66 , 67 ]. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the Proteus Effect Scale and neuroticism, suggesting that higher Proteus Effect tendencies were slightly associated with higher levels of neurotic traits. Individuals high in neuroticism are known for experiencing heightened levels of emotional reactivity, anxiety, and stress [ 68 ]. Such individuals may be more prone to intense emotional involvement in virtual environments, where they can temporarily escape real-world anxieties. This finding of the study showed that individuals high in neuroticism are more prone to media-based escapism and may use avatars as a coping mechanism or emotional surrogate [ 30 ]. From a social cognitive perspective [ 10 ], repeated exposure to avatars that project confidence, strength, or attractiveness may lead adolescents to internalize these attributes, but the outcome of this process likely depends on individual differences in emotion regulation and self-concept stability. The Proteus Effect capitalizes on this susceptibility, as neurotic individuals may find it easier to adopt the characteristics of their avatars and to align themselves with the avatar’s perceived identity or behavior. This internalization was supported by the positive correlation between neuroticism and avatar identification in the study. Therefore, our findings underscored the scale's robust criterion-related validity, confirming its efficacy in distinguishing between related constructs within the context of digital behavior and psychological traits. The internal consistency coefficient for the entire scale was found to be high (Cronbach's alpha = .87), indicating strong reliability [ 47 ]. Furthermore, item-total correlations exceeded the threshold of .30 for all items, suggesting effective discrimination among individuals [ 39 ]. Test-retest analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the first and second measurements, indicating stability in scores over time. Finally, significant findings obtained from the independent samples t-test for the lower and upper 27% groups further supported the scale's internal consistency, indicating consistent responses across different segments of the population. The unidimensional structure of the scale—spanning behavioral, emotional, and cognitive indicators—supported the conceptualization of the Proteus Effect as an integrated psychological phenomenon rather than a fragmented set of reactions [ 52 ]. While some earlier scales [ 25 , 26 ] focus primarily on narrative or emotional identification, the present scale captures a more comprehensive range of Proteus-related experiences, including real-life behavioral mirroring and self-enhancement via avatar performance. This aligns with recent arguments in the literature that the Proteus Effect is a multi-modal process involving embodiment, projection, and symbolic modeling [ 20 , 22 ]. Importantly, the current study also addresses a significant methodological gap in the literature. While the Proteus Effect has been extensively studied in adult populations, particularly in Western contexts [ 3 , 4 ], few tools have been developed to assess this effect among adolescents or adapted for non-Western cultures. By grounding the scale in both developmental and cultural considerations, and validating it with a sample of Turkish adolescents, the study contributes to the global applicability of the Proteus Effect framework. This is crucial in an era of rapid digital globalization, where adolescents from diverse sociocultural backgrounds engage in avatar-driven platforms with varying norms, representations, and identity scripts [ 9 , 23 ]. Implications and Future Research The validated scale has both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, it provides a reliable tool for future research on digital identity, avatar embodiment, and the psychological impacts of gaming. It opens pathways for testing mediation or moderation models involving avatar identification, such as its role in emotional regulation, online disinhibition, or offline behavioral changes. Practically, the scale can inform interventions aimed at reducing gaming-related problems by identifying adolescents who exhibit high levels of avatar-player fusion, a potential risk factor for problematic gaming or emotional dysregulation. Future studies should explore longitudinal outcomes of Proteus identification in adolescence. For instance, does avatar-based self-enhancement contribute to long-term increases in self-esteem, or does it lead to greater discrepancies between virtual and real selves? Additionally, qualitative or mixed-methods approaches could further illuminate how adolescents interpret their avatar experiences, especially in relation to gender identity, body image, and peer relationships. Cross-cultural validations are also needed to determine whether the scale performs equivalently across different linguistic and cultural contexts. As avatar designs and gaming narratives vary globally, the symbolic meanings attached to avatars—and their psychological impact—may differ accordingly. Moreover, future studies might consider integrating physiological or behavioral measures (e.g., eye-tracking, in-game decision tracking) alongside self-reports to capture Proteus dynamics more holistically. Limitations Despite its strengths, the study has some limitations. Firstly, while the sample was composed of adolescents who play games, it is worth noting that the items of the scale were developed by adult experts rather than the target adolescent population. This may limit the ecological validity of the scale and raises concerns regarding the alignment of item content with the lived gaming experiences of adolescents. Future research should consider involving adolescent gamers in the item development process to better capture the nuances of their gaming experiences. The use of a single-country adolescent sample limits generalizability, and self-report measures may be subject to social desirability or introspective bias. Although the scale was found to be unidimensional, future research might explore whether multidimensional substructures emerge in more diverse samples or different gaming genres. Additionally, the study did not account for avatar type (e.g., human vs. fantasy, realistic vs. cartoonish), which may influence the strength and direction of the Proteus Effect. Conclusion In summary, the current study introduces a psychometrically sound, developmentally appropriate, and culturally sensitive tool to assess the Proteus Effect in adolescents. By integrating cognitive, emotional, and behavioral elements of avatar-player identification, the Proteus Effect Scale for Adolescents offers a critical advancement for both theoretical inquiry and practical assessment in the digital age. As adolescents increasingly construct and explore their identities through virtual representations, understanding the psychological impact of avatar embodiment is more relevant than ever. Abbreviations EFA Exploratory factor analysis CFA Confirmatory factor analysis KMO Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin RMSEA :Root mean square error of approximation TLI Tucker-Lewis index CFI Comparative t index X² Chi-square RMR Root mean square residual GFI Goodness of fit indeks AGFI Adjusted goodness of fit indeks IFI Incremental Fit Index NFI Normed fit indeks PES Proteus effect scale PESA Proteus Effect Scale for Adolescents Declarations Ethical approval and informed consent statements : This study was conducted in strict accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (E-20292139-050.01.04-7986). Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Consent for publication : Not applicable. Availability of data and materials: The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Competing interests : The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Authors' contributions : EGT, İT, AA : Conceptualization, İT: Methodology, EGT, AA: Writing- Original draft preparation. EGT, İT, AA : Investigation, İT : Formal analysis EGT: Writing- Reviewing and Editing. Acknowledgements: Not applicable References Erikson EH. Identity: youth and crisis. New York: W.W. Norton & Company; 1968. Blakemore SJ, Mills KL. Is adolescence a sensitive period for sociocultural processing? Annu Rev Psychol. 2014;65:187–207. doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115202. Yee N, Bailenson J. 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The development and validation of the Proteus Effect scale for adolescents","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe rapid growth of digital gaming environments, particularly avatar-based multiplayer online games, has transformed the way individuals perceive themselves and interact with the world around them. For adolescents, who are navigating a critical period of identity development, emotional regulation, and socialization, digital avatars provide a virtual mirror\u0026mdash;both a reflection of the self and a projection of idealized characteristics [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Among the most influential theoretical concepts emerging from this phenomenon is the \u003cem\u003eProteus Effect\u003c/em\u003e, which describes how users\u0026rsquo; behaviors and attitudes conform to the characteristics of their avatars [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. As avatars are imbued with varying levels of attractiveness, power, and sociability, users begin to internalize these traits and translate them into real-world attitudes and behaviors [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. This process of identification and internalization is not merely symbolic but has demonstrable emotional, behavioral, and psychological consequences, especially for adolescents whose identities are in a state of active formation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe theoretical underpinnings of the Proteus Effect are grounded in \u003cem\u003eSelf-Perception Theory\u003c/em\u003e [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e], which posits that individuals infer their own attitudes and emotions by observing their behaviors. When an adolescent engages with a powerful, beautiful, or successful avatar, the repetitive experience of performing such a role may lead to internalizing these traits as part of the self-concept [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. This is particularly salient during adolescence, a developmental stage characterized by increased identity exploration, emotional reactivity, and vulnerability to social feedback [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. During this period, adolescents are more susceptible to media influences that provide symbolic or virtual platforms for identity testing and construction [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn addition to self-perception theory, \u003cem\u003eBandura\u0026rsquo;s\u003c/em\u003e [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e] \u003cem\u003eSocial Cognitive Theory\u003c/em\u003e provides a valuable framework for understanding how avatar characteristics can shape adolescents\u0026rsquo; self-efficacy and affect regulation. Bandura emphasized the role of vicarious learning and symbolic modeling, processes that are increasingly mediated through avatars in digital contexts. For example, studies have shown that adolescents who play with avatars that are idealized or enhanced versions of themselves report higher confidence and assertiveness immediately after gameplay [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. Likewise, avatars with aggressive traits have been shown to increase aggressive behaviors and attitudes in players [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e], while avatars that promote prosocial traits can increase cooperation and empathy [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Proteus Effect is also informed by the \u003cem\u003eSocial Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects (SIDE model)\u003c/em\u003e [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e], which suggests that immersion in virtual environments enables individuals to adopt socially constructed roles more easily due to anonymity and group dynamics. Through avatars, adolescents are not only expressing individualized identities but also conforming to group norms embedded within gaming culture. These virtual roles and norms can significantly impact how adolescents view themselves and behave offline [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e]. Research has documented how adolescents experiment with gender identity, dominance roles, and emotional expression through avatars, often resulting in transference of those experiences to real-world settings [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite growing interest in avatar-related psychological effects, \u003cem\u003ethe Proteus Effect remains underexplored in adolescent populations\u003c/em\u003e, particularly in non-Western contexts. While adult populations have been the focus of most empirical investigations [3,22, adolescents represent a uniquely important group due to their developmental sensitivity and the increasing prevalence of game engagement among youth globally [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e]. Currently available instruments measuring avatar identification or the Proteus Effect are often either ad hoc (e.g., using single items or game-specific measures), adapted from adult scales, or lacking in developmental sensitivity and cultural adaptation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, most of these instruments have not undergone rigorous psychometric validation using both EFA and CFA, nor have they been tested across diverse adolescent samples, especially in non-Western regions where gaming dynamics may differ.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo address these critical gaps, the present study developed and validated the \u003cem\u003eProteus Effect Scale for Adolescents (PESA)\u003c/em\u003e -a 10-item unidimensional scale designed to assess the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive aspects of avatar-player identification in adolescents. The scale development was grounded in both theory and empirical evidence. The items reflect a broad range of experiences consistent with the Proteus Effect, including avatar-based emotional reactivity (e.g., feeling depressed when the avatar fails), behavioral mirroring (e.g., dressing like the avatar), and perceived self-enhancement (e.g., feeling more confident or sociable after avatar achievements). The psychometric evaluation included both Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to establish the construct validity of the scale. Criterion-related validity was examined by assessing correlations with game addiction and neuroticism, two constructs previously shown to relate closely to avatar identification and immersion [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency and test-retest reliability, ensuring the stability and robustness of the scale. By offering a developmentally and culturally appropriate tool for measuring the Proteus Effect, this study contributes a much-needed instrument for advancing research in adolescent digital identity formation.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Method","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eResearch Sample\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scale development study was conducted with four separate groups of adolescents living in Turkey, using criterion sampling, which selects individuals based on predefined criteria [31]. This method was suitable given the focus on adolescents engaged in digital gaming. \u003cem\u003eThe initial group\u003c/em\u003e (pretrial application) consisted of 55 adolescents aged 10 to 18, with a mean age of 13.84; gender distribution included 36 (65.5%) males and 19 (34.5%) females. \u003cem\u003eThe second group\u003c/em\u003e (trial application), comprising 327 individuals, underwent Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and included 151 (46.2%) females and 175 (53.5%) males, with one participant not specifying their gender. The age range of the group was between 10-18 years and the average age was 15.40 and this group reported an average daily internet usage of 3.5 hours without specific purpose and 4.11 hours of gaming. \u003cem\u003eThe third group\u003c/em\u003e (trial application) included 350 individuals analyzed with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), with 199 (56.9%) females and 151 (43.1%) males. The age range of the group was between 10-18 years and the average age was 14.53. Their average daily internet usage and gaming duration were 3.22 hours and 3.51 hours, respectively. \u003cem\u003eThe fourth group\u003c/em\u003e (test-retest group) consisted of 45 adolescents aged 13-15, with a mean age of 14; gender distribution included 25 (55.6%) female and 20 (44.4%) males for test-retest analysis.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eData Collection Tools\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eProteus Effect Scale:\u003c/em\u003eThe Proteus Effect Scale, consisting of 10 items, was administered as a primary tool in the main study. The scale was developed on Turkish adolescents, using a 5-point frequency response format, 1= Never to 5= Always\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAdolescent Gaming Addiction Scale:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eThe scale was developed by Anlı \u0026amp; Taş\u0026nbsp;[32]\u0026nbsp;for the Turkish adolescent population. Its validity and reliability have been established in the Turkish population. This scale consists of 9 items and is structured as a 5-point Likert-type scale with a single dimension. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess construct validity. The exploratory factor analysis showed that one factor accounted for 42.806% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed satisfactory fit indices: X\u0026sup2; (27) = 2.514, RMR = .045; GFI = .97; AGFI = .95; CFI = .96; IFI = .96; RFI = .92; NFI = .94; RMSEA = .054. Reliability analysis using Cronbach\u0026apos;s alpha resulted in an internal consistency coefficient of .81, indicating satisfactory reliability.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe 10-Item\u0026nbsp;Big Five Inventory\u0026nbsp;(BFI-10):\u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe Big Five Inventory, initially developed by Rammstedt \u0026amp; John [33], was adapted to Turkish culture by Horzum, et al. [34]. Its validity and reliability have been established in the Turkish population.\u0026nbsp;This five-point Likert-type scale consists of 10 items across five sub-dimensions. To evaluate its construct validity, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were performed. EFA confirmed the original five-factor structure, with variances explained as follows: Extraversion (19%), Agreeableness (15%), Conscientiousness (18%), Neuroticism (4.7%), and Openness to Experience (30%). CFA showed excellent model fit: \u0026chi;\u0026sup2; = 46.139, N = 25, p = 0.00, RMSEA = 0.062, GFI = 0.96, AGFI = 0.91, CFI = 0.98, NFI = 0.97, and SRMR = 0.035. Reliability analysis revealed high internal consistency with Cronbach\u0026apos;s alpha coefficients of 0.88 for Extraversion, 0.81 for Agreeableness, 0.90 for Conscientiousness, 0.85 for Neuroticism, and 0.84 for Openness to Experience. Thus, the Turkish adaptation of the 10-Item Big Five Inventory is a reliable and valid tool for assessing personality traits in academic research.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eData Collection and Analysis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData were collected online from adolescents who voluntarily completed the forms, with ethics committee approval obtained for the research.\u0026nbsp;Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Since the participants were under the age of 16, informed consent was obtained from their parents/legal guardians. This study was conducted in strict accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee at \u0026hellip;.. University. Participants took an average of 15-20 minutes to fill out the scale items. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25 and AMOS 25 software. Validity was assessed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, while reliability was evaluated using Cronbach\u0026apos;s Alpha, McDonald\u0026rsquo;s Omega, item-total correlations, test-retest analysis, and t-tests for the upper and lower 27% values.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eScale Development Process\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this study, the Proteus Effect Scale was developed to determine the effects of digital games on adolescents\u0026apos; identity changes. The scale was developed to specifically assess how adolescents identify with their avatars in digital gaming environments. Identification in this context refers to the psychological process through which players see themselves in their avatars, internalize their avatars\u0026rsquo; characteristics, and form an emotional or cognitive connection to them. The scale items focus on aspects of how closely the player identifies with the avatar, such as experiencing the avatar\u0026rsquo;s emotions, aligning with the avatar\u0026apos;s goals, and feeling a strong personal connection to the avatar. The emphasis is on the identification process itself, rather than how the identification impacts behavior or emotions outside the game. During the development of the scale, particular attention was given to ensuring its brevity, cost-effectiveness, and functionality. Initially, a literature review was conducted [3,35,36], and a 15-item 5-point Likert-type scale (\u0026quot;Never\u0026quot;, \u0026quot;Rarely\u0026quot;, \u0026quot;Sometimes\u0026quot;, \u0026quot;Often\u0026quot;, and \u0026quot;Always\u0026quot;) was designed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor content validity, feedback was obtained from six experts in the fields of Counseling and Guidance, Psychology, Measurement and Evaluation, and Turkish Language and Literature. Based on the feedback received from the experts, revisions were made. For example; The statement \u0026quot;Even in class, at home, or outside with my friends, my mind is always on my avatar\u0026apos;s achievements\u0026quot; has been changed to \u0026quot;Even in class, at home or outside playing with my friends, my mind is always on my avatar\u0026apos;s achievements\u0026quot; in line with the expert opinion. \u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;The items, \u0026ldquo;I feel less confident in real life when my avatar fails in the game\u0026rdquo;, and\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;When things don\u0026apos;t go my way in the game, I can be very angry with the people around me\u0026rdquo; were removed from the scale.\u0026nbsp;After necessary revisions were made to other items as requested, the final version of the scale (13-items) was established.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePretrial application\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scale developed should be applied to a small group to represent the target group to determine the psychometric properties of the scale. The final version of the 13-item scale was administered as a pretrial application to 55 individuals. It was observed that some items (3 items) were not fully understood, and these items were subsequently removed from the final version. For example, items such as\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;Even in class, at home, or out and about playing with friends, my mind is constantly on my avatar\u0026apos;s achievements\u0026rdquo;, \u0026ldquo;When my avatar is prettier/more handsome in the game, I become more sociable and sociable in real life\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;and \u0026ldquo;When my avatar loses, I don\u0026apos;t have any energy, I don\u0026apos;t want to do anything\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;were excluded from the scale. Subsequently, the remaining 10 items were used for further applications.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrial Application\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the trial application, a scale consisting of 10 items were applied. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Data were collected from 380 participants for exploratory factor analysis. Participants who reported not playing any games were excluded from the dataset, resulting in 327 remaining participants for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the second part of the factor analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted. For this, data were collected from 386 participants. Participants who reported not playing any games were excluded from the dataset, resulting in 350 participants for CFA.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn this study, the \u0026quot;Proteus Effect: Avatar-Player Identification Scale for Adolescents\u0026quot; was developed. In line with this objective, factor analysis and reliability analysis were conducted, and the results are presented below.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eValidity Study\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eExploratory Factor Analysis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor exploratory factor analysis, a scale consisting of 10 items was applied to 327 adolescents. To assess the suitability of the data for factor analysis, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy was examined first. The KMO value was found to be .881 (p = .000), indicating that the sample was adequate for conducting factor analysis [37]. Additionally, Bartlett\u0026rsquo;s Test of Sphericity yielded a significant result (\u0026chi;\u0026sup2; = 1497.52, p = .000), further confirming the appropriateness of the data for factor analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the evaluation of data suitability, an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted. The EFA results indicated a two-factor structure for the scale. The eigenvalue of the first factor is 5.003, and the eigenvalue of the second factor is 1.008. An eigenvalue above 1 is not considered sufficient to decide on the number of factors [38,39]. Deciding only on the basis of eigenvalue leads to the emergence of more or less factors. Instead, the scree plot test seems to be more appropriate in deciding the number of factors [40,41]. The Scree Plot test (see Figure 1) led to the decision that a unidimensional structure would be more functional. The eigenvalue and variance explained by the Proteus Impact scale for 10-item one-dimensional adolescents obtained as a result of the Principal Axis Factoring Analysis are given in Table 1.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eEigenvalues and contributions to explained variance of the factor structure obtained from principal axis factoring analysis of the 10-item proteus effect scale\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"605\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 18.6777%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFactor\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.3306%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEigenvalue\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 30.4132%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eExplained variance (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 30.5785%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal variance (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 18.6777%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.3306%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.003\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 30.4132%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50.029\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 30.5785%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50.029\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Table 1, the principal axis factoring analysis results indicated that the single-factor structure of the scale had an eigenvalue of 5.003 and explained 50.029% of the variance.\u0026nbsp;it can be stated that the factor structure of the scale is valid [42]. The scree plot graphically illustrates information about the factor structure of the scale. The scree plot for the 10-item scale is provided below.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;As seen in Figure 1, the slope flattens after the second point, indicating a plateau. Therefore, it can be concluded that the scale exhibits a single-factor structure. Table 2 provides the arithmetic means, standard deviations, factor communalities, item factor loading values, and item-total correlations of the Proteus Effect Scale for Adolescents.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg 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\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Table 2, the factor communalities of the items range from .354 to .624. It can be observed that the communalities of the items are all greater than .10, indicating that there are no items that need to be removed from the scale. Furthermore, the factor loading values of the items range from .595 to .790, which are higher than the acceptable value of .32 [43].\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eConvergent Validity\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConvergent validity analysis of the unidimensional structure was conducted on the remaining 10 items. Convergent validity assesses the extent to which scale items are related to each other and their underlying factor. Average Variance Extracted (AVE) was used as the criterion, with a threshold of \u0026gt;.50 indicating acceptable convergent validity \u0026nbsp;[44]. 10-item scale demonstrated satisfactory convergent validity, with an AVE value exceeding .50. Composite reliability (CR) for the 10-item version was calculated as .908, indicating a high level of internal consistency.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eConfirmatory Factor Analysis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConfirmatory factor analysis for the ten-item scale was conducted following the exploratory factor analysis to test the single-factor structure revealed by the exploratory factor analysis. The fit indices of the obtained model are generally at a good level. The path diagram of the CFA model is shown in Figure 2.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFigure 2 presents standardized beta values showing the factor loadings of each item. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis are provided in Table 3.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 3.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eResults of confirmatory factor analysis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eItems\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lambda;\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eR\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003et\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.48\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.48\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.88***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.69\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.69\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.06***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.53\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.53\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.06***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.60\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.60\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.51***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.47***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.25***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.50***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.63\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.63\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.70***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 25%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.00***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Item factor loading, ***p\u0026lt;.000\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Table 3, item factor loadings range from .48 to .73, exceeding the accepted threshold of .32 [43]. The t-values from the confirmatory factor analysis range between 6.50 and 8.25, indicating statistical significance (p \u0026lt; .01). t-values above 1.96 suggest significance at the .05 level, while those exceeding 2.33 indicate significance at the .01 level [39]. Thus, the t-values of the items show significance at the .01 level.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe R-square values for the items exceed .32, indicating that each item explains at least 10% of the total variance of the scale [45]. Collectively, these values suggest the model is valid. The fit index values for the confirmatory factor analysis are shown in Table 4.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 4.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eFit index values for the ten-item scale confirmatory factor analysis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGoodness of Fit Index\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eObtained Values\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2821%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAcceptable Values*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eX\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e/Sd\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.891\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2821%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026le; 5\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSd\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2821%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRMR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.035\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2821%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026le; .05\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSRMR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.050\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2821%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026le; .08\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGFI\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.94\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2821%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge; .90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAGFI\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.91\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2821%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge; .90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCFI\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.93\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2821%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge; .90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNFI\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2821%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge; .90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIFI\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.93\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2821%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge; .90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTLI\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.91\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2821%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge; .90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRMSEA\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 34.359%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.074\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 31.2821%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026le; .08\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: Hu and Bentler (1999); CMIN/df: Relative Chi-Square Index; GFI: Goodness of Fit Index; CFI: Comparative Fit Index; NFI: Normed Fit Index; IFI Incremental Fit Index); TLI: Tucker Lewis Index; RMR: Root Mean Square Residuals; SRMR: Standardized Root Mean Square Residuals; RMSEA: Root Mean Square Error of Approximation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen examining the fit indices presented in Table 4, the following values are obtained for the scale: CMIN/df is 2.891, RMR is .035, SRMR is .050, GFI is 0.94, AGFI is 0.91, CFI is 0.93, NFI is 0.90, and IFI is 0.93, TLI is 0.91. Additionally, the RMSEA value is 0.074, which falls within the acceptable range. The obtained values indicate that the scale demonstrates a good fit (Bentler \u0026amp; Bonett, 1980). The confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA) results for women [\u0026chi;2\u003csub\u003e(35, N=199)\u003c/sub\u003e=94.22, p\u0026lt;.001, GFI=0.91; IFI=.90; CFI=0.90; RMR=0.041; SRMR=0.061, RMSEA=0.092] and men [\u0026chi;2\u003csub\u003e(35, N=251)\u003c/sub\u003e=79.80, p\u0026lt;.001, GFI=0.91; IFI=.90; CFI=0.90; RMR=0.051; SRMR=0.067, RMSEA=0.092] samples also provided an acceptable fit to the data[46].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eConcurrent Validity\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe concurrent validity study was conducted with a third group consisting of 350 participants. In this study, the relationships between the Proteus Effect Scale, gaming addiction, social exclusion, and the personality traits were examined. \u0026nbsp;To provide additional evidence for the validity of the developed scale, a concurrent validity analysis was conducted. For this purpose, the relationship between PESA and gaming addiction, personality traits, and social exclusion was examined. The relationships between the variables were tested using Pearson correlation. The results obtained from the analyses revealed a moderate positive relationship between PESA and gaming addiction (r= .526, p\u0026lt;.01), and a low positive relationship with neuroticism (r= .137, p\u0026lt;.05), extraversion (r= .137, p\u0026lt;.05), self-control (r= .123, p\u0026lt;.05), the average daily time spent on the internet (r= .241, p\u0026lt;.05), and the daily time spent playing games (r= .175, p\u0026lt;.05). No relationship was found between PESA and agreeableness (r=.023, p\u0026gt;.05), openness to experience (r=.067, p\u0026gt;.05), and social exclusion (r=.026, p\u0026gt;.05). Participants\u0026rsquo; average daily time spent on the internet (M=3.22 hours) and on gaming (M=3.52 hours) exceeded 3 hours. It is seen that PESA is related to neuroticism, extraversion, self-control, and gaming addiction, which are theoretically expected to be related according to the literature; and unrelated to social exclusion, agreeableness, and openness to experience, thereby supporting the concurrent validity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReliability Study\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReliability analysis was conducted for both EFA and CFA groups. \u0026nbsp;To assess the reliability of the scale, internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach\u0026apos;s alpha), item-total correlations, test-retest reliability, and t-test analyses for upper and lower 27% values were conducted. Firstly, Cronbach\u0026apos;s alpha coefficient, Cronbach\u0026apos;s alpha values after removing items, McDonald\u0026rsquo;s Omega and item-total correlation values were examined. The results of Cronbach Alpha test are presented in Table 5.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 5.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCronbach\u0026apos;s Alpha and Item-Total Correlation Values\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"624\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 274px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;EFA Group\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;(N=\u003c/em\u003e327)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 293px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; CFA Group\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;(N=\u003c/em\u003e350)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eItem No.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCronbach\u0026apos;s alpha item deleted\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026alpha;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eItem-Total\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCorrelation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCronbach\u0026apos;s alpha\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eitem \u0026nbsp;deleted\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026alpha;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eItem-Total\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCorrelation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.86\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"9\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.611\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.82\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.644\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.81\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.707\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.80\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.86\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.608\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.82\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.86\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.537\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.81\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.53\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.86\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.547\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.81\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.706\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.79\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.437\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.86\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.631\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.80\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.56\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePE10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.673\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 132px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.80\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 64px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 97px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Table 5, the internal consistency coefficients and item-total correlations of the scale items are provided. It is observed that the Cronbach\u0026apos;s alpha coefficient for the entire scale of the EFA group (\u003cem\u003eN=\u003c/em\u003e327) is .87, and the Cronbach\u0026apos;s alpha coefficient for the entire scale of the CFA group (\u003cem\u003eN=\u003c/em\u003e350) is .83 indicating that the scale is highly reliable [47]. Additionally, the item-total correlations of the EFA group (\u003cem\u003eN=\u003c/em\u003e327) range from .44 to .71, and for CFA group (\u003cem\u003eN=\u003c/em\u003e350) range from .44 to .65. An item-total correlation above .30 indicates that the item effectively discriminates individuals [39].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMcDonald\u0026rsquo;s Omega Reliability\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, McDonald\u0026rsquo;s Omega reliability coefficient was calculated because it is considered a more sensitive index by researchers \u0026nbsp;[48,49], as it estimates item factor loadings individually. The McDonald\u0026apos;s Omega coefficient obtained from the group of 327 participants was .88 and the coefficient obtained from the group of 350 participants was .83, indicating high internal consistency.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTest-Retest Reliability\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTest-retest analysis is one of the ways to measure the reliability of a scale. \u0026nbsp; Test-retest reliability was assessed with a fourth group comprising 45 participants. The test-retest procedure was conducted with a one-month interval. A significant, positive, and high-level correlation (r = .75, p \u0026lt; .05) was found between the first and second measurements. This correlation indicates that there was no significant change in the scores over time and there was stability between the scores obtained from the measurements.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eItem Analysis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndependent samples t-test was conducted to examine the disparity between the lower and upper 27% groups, which was utilized as a measure of internal consistency.\u0026nbsp;For both the EFA group of 327 and the CFA group of 350 , the t-test values for the lower and upper 27% groups are found to be statistically significant (p \u0026le; .001). These significant findings obtained from the test suggest that the test exhibits a high level of internal consistency \u0026nbsp;[50].\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the results of the analysis used in the study, the scale is a valid and reliable scale in the Turkish adolescent population.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe present study developed and validated the \u003cem\u003eProteus Effect Scale for Adolescents (PESA)\u003c/em\u003e, a 10-item unidimensional instrument assessing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of avatar-player identification. Through rigorous psychometric analyses -including EFA, CFA, and criterion-related validity assessments- the scale demonstrated strong internal consistency, construct validity, and significant associations with theoretically related constructs, including gaming addiction, extraversion, self-control, neuroticism average daily time spent on the internet and. These findings provide robust evidence for the scale\u0026rsquo;s utility in capturing the core mechanisms of the Proteus Effect among adolescents, a population for whom digital identity formation is particularly salient.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBy grounding the scale in self-perception theory [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e] and the SIDE model [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e], the findings affirmed that avatar characteristics do not merely remain confined to virtual spaces, but are psychologically embodied by the adolescent users, influencing self-concept, emotion regulation, and real-world behaviors [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. Several items in the final scale reflected the degree to which avatars shape adolescents\u0026rsquo; emotional responses (\"When I lose my avatar, I withdraw into myself and don't want to talk to anyone \"), behavioral intentions (\"I try to dress like my avatar\"), and even somatic embodiment (\"I walk and act like my avatar\"). These dynamics underscore the Proteus Effect as both a \u003cem\u003esymbolic and embodied process\u003c/em\u003e of identity formation and reinforcement [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR51\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e51\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results of the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a coherent and interpretable factor structure, supporting the construct validity of the scale. The Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a unidimensional structure of the scale. This result aligned with theoretical perspectives emphasizing the holistic nature of player-avatar relationships, where cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects often merge into a singular immersive experience [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR52\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e52\u003c/span\u003e]. This decision was further supported by statistical tests including the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett\u0026rsquo;s Sphericity test, indicating the suitability of the data for factor analysis [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR53\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e53\u003c/span\u003e]. The single-factor structure explained 50.029%, aligning with previous research indicating the dominance of core themes such as immersion and avatar identification in gaming experiences [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR54\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e54\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR55\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e55\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMoreover, the validity of the single-factor structure was further reinforced through Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) conducted separately for female and male participants. The model demonstrated an acceptable fit for both groups, with fit indices for females [χ\u0026sup2;(35, N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;199)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;94.22, p\u0026lt;.001; GFI = .91; IFI = .90; CFI = .90; RMSEA = .092] and males [χ\u0026sup2;(35, N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;251)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;79.80, p\u0026lt;.001; GFI = .91; IFI = .90; CFI = .90; RMSEA = .092] falling within recommended thresholds [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e56\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR57\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e57\u003c/span\u003e]. These findings support the configural invariance of the scale across genders, suggesting that the scale measures the Proteus Effect similarly for male and female adolescents. This result aligns with prior research suggesting that although there may be gender differences in gaming preferences, the psychological processes underlying avatar identification remain largely consistent across genders [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR58\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e58\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR59\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e59\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConfirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed the validity of the single-factor structure obtained from EFA. The fit indices for the Proteus Effect Scale indicated that the model demonstrated a good fit. Specifically, the Chi-Square/df ratio is 2.891, RMR is .035, the GFI is .94, and the AGFI is .91. Furthermore, the CFI stood at .93, the NFI was .90, and the IFI was .93. The RMSEA value was .074, which falls within the acceptable range (\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;.08). These values collectively suggested that the scale meets the criteria for a good fit, as outlined by Bentler and Bonett [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR60\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e60\u003c/span\u003e] (1980), thereby confirming the robustness and reliability of the Proteus Effect Scale in capturing the intended construct. Additionally, item factor loadings and t-values demonstrated statistical significance, indicating the reliability and validity of the scale.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe criterion-related validity of the Proteus Effect Scale was evaluated by examining its relationship with game addiction and neuroticism. The positive correlation between PESA scores and gaming addiction supported earlier findings that heightened avatar identification may increase risk for problematic gaming behaviors [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e] (Sioni et al., 2017; Zhang, Cao \u0026amp; Tian, 2024). For example, Billieux et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e61\u003c/span\u003e] (2013) found that players who identified strongly with their avatars in online role-playing games were more likely to experience problematic gaming behaviors, as the emotional rewards of the game became tied to their avatar's success and progression. The Proteus Effect often reinforces positive feedback loops in gaming environments. For example, an adolescent controlling a powerful or attractive avatar may receive positive feedback from other players (e.g., praise, status recognition), which enhances the player\u0026rsquo;s self-esteem in the virtual world. This feedback loop can lead to excessive gameplay as players seek to continually replicate these positive experiences, reinforcing addictive behaviors. King et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR62\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e62\u003c/span\u003e] stated that such reward mechanisms, combined with avatar identification, were strong predictors of gaming addiction. Adolescents who experience greater avatar-player fusion may become more emotionally invested in the game world, leading to increased time spent gaming, difficulty disengaging, and real-life impairments. This is consistent with previous research [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e], which posits that users are drawn to games as environments where they can express or extend idealized aspects of their identity\u0026mdash;especially appealing during adolescence, a stage marked by self-exploration and heightened sensitivity to appearance, performance, and peer evaluation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSupporting the concurrent validity of the scale, PESA demonstrated moderate positive correlations with gaming addiction (r = .526, p \u0026lt; .01) and small positive correlations with neuroticism, extraversion, self-control, and daily time spent on the internet and gaming. These findings are consistent with previous studies highlighting avatar identification\u0026rsquo;s association with problematic gaming behaviors and emotional dispositions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR63\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e63\u003c/span\u003e]. No significant relationships were found between PESA and agreeableness, openness to experience, or social exclusion, as theoretically anticipated [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR64\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e64\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR65\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e65\u003c/span\u003e], further strengthening the scale\u0026rsquo;s discriminant validity. Importantly, participants\u0026rsquo; high average daily internet and gaming times suggest that the sample was well-suited for studying avatar-related phenomena, as intensive online engagement provides a fertile ground for Proteus Effect mechanisms to operate [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR66\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e66\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR67\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e67\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the Proteus Effect Scale and neuroticism, suggesting that higher Proteus Effect tendencies were slightly associated with higher levels of neurotic traits. Individuals high in neuroticism are known for experiencing heightened levels of emotional reactivity, anxiety, and stress [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR68\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e68\u003c/span\u003e]. Such individuals may be more prone to intense emotional involvement in virtual environments, where they can temporarily escape real-world anxieties. This finding of the study showed that individuals high in neuroticism are more prone to media-based escapism and may use avatars as a coping mechanism or emotional surrogate [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. From a social cognitive perspective [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e], repeated exposure to avatars that project confidence, strength, or attractiveness may lead adolescents to internalize these attributes, but the outcome of this process likely depends on individual differences in emotion regulation and self-concept stability. The Proteus Effect capitalizes on this susceptibility, as neurotic individuals may find it easier to adopt the characteristics of their avatars and to align themselves with the avatar\u0026rsquo;s perceived identity or behavior. This internalization was supported by the positive correlation between neuroticism and avatar identification in the study. Therefore, our findings underscored the scale's robust criterion-related validity, confirming its efficacy in distinguishing between related constructs within the context of digital behavior and psychological traits.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe internal consistency coefficient for the entire scale was found to be high (Cronbach's alpha = .87), indicating strong reliability [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e47\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, item-total correlations exceeded the threshold of .30 for all items, suggesting effective discrimination among individuals [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e]. Test-retest analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the first and second measurements, indicating stability in scores over time. Finally, significant findings obtained from the independent samples t-test for the lower and upper 27% groups further supported the scale's internal consistency, indicating consistent responses across different segments of the population.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe unidimensional structure of the scale\u0026mdash;spanning behavioral, emotional, and cognitive indicators\u0026mdash;supported the conceptualization of the Proteus Effect as an integrated psychological phenomenon rather than a fragmented set of reactions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR52\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e52\u003c/span\u003e]. While some earlier scales [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e] focus primarily on narrative or emotional identification, the present scale captures a more comprehensive range of Proteus-related experiences, including real-life behavioral mirroring and self-enhancement via avatar performance. This aligns with recent arguments in the literature that the Proteus Effect is a multi-modal process involving embodiment, projection, and symbolic modeling [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImportantly, the current study also addresses a significant methodological gap in the literature. While the Proteus Effect has been extensively studied in adult populations, particularly in Western contexts [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e], few tools have been developed to assess this effect among adolescents or adapted for non-Western cultures. By grounding the scale in both developmental and cultural considerations, and validating it with a sample of Turkish adolescents, the study contributes to the global applicability of the Proteus Effect framework. This is crucial in an era of rapid digital globalization, where adolescents from diverse sociocultural backgrounds engage in avatar-driven platforms with varying norms, representations, and identity scripts [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eImplications and Future Research\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe validated scale has both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, it provides a reliable tool for future research on digital identity, avatar embodiment, and the psychological impacts of gaming. It opens pathways for testing mediation or moderation models involving avatar identification, such as its role in emotional regulation, online disinhibition, or offline behavioral changes. Practically, the scale can inform interventions aimed at reducing gaming-related problems by identifying adolescents who exhibit high levels of avatar-player fusion, a potential risk factor for problematic gaming or emotional dysregulation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFuture studies should explore longitudinal outcomes of Proteus identification in adolescence. For instance, does avatar-based self-enhancement contribute to long-term increases in self-esteem, or does it lead to greater discrepancies between virtual and real selves? Additionally, qualitative or mixed-methods approaches could further illuminate how adolescents interpret their avatar experiences, especially in relation to gender identity, body image, and peer relationships.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCross-cultural validations are also needed to determine whether the scale performs equivalently across different linguistic and cultural contexts. As avatar designs and gaming narratives vary globally, the symbolic meanings attached to avatars\u0026mdash;and their psychological impact\u0026mdash;may differ accordingly. Moreover, future studies might consider integrating physiological or behavioral measures (e.g., eye-tracking, in-game decision tracking) alongside self-reports to capture Proteus dynamics more holistically.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec21\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLimitations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite its strengths, the study has some limitations. Firstly, while the sample was composed of adolescents who play games, it is worth noting that the items of the scale were developed by adult experts rather than the target adolescent population. This may limit the ecological validity of the scale and raises concerns regarding the alignment of item content with the lived gaming experiences of adolescents. Future research should consider involving adolescent gamers in the item development process to better capture the nuances of their gaming experiences. The use of a single-country adolescent sample limits generalizability, and self-report measures may be subject to social desirability or introspective bias. Although the scale was found to be unidimensional, future research might explore whether multidimensional substructures emerge in more diverse samples or different gaming genres. Additionally, the study did not account for avatar type (e.g., human vs. fantasy, realistic vs. cartoonish), which may influence the strength and direction of the Proteus Effect.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn summary, the current study introduces a psychometrically sound, developmentally appropriate, and culturally sensitive tool to assess the Proteus Effect in adolescents. By integrating cognitive, emotional, and behavioral elements of avatar-player identification, the Proteus Effect Scale for Adolescents offers a critical advancement for both theoretical inquiry and practical assessment in the digital age. As adolescents increasingly construct and explore their identities through virtual representations, understanding the psychological impact of avatar embodiment is more relevant than ever.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionList\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEFA\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExploratory factor analysis\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCFA\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eConfirmatory factor analysis\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eKMO\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKaiser-Meyer-Olkin \u003cb\u003eRMSEA\u003c/b\u003e:Root mean square error of approximation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTLI\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTucker-Lewis index\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCFI\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparative t index\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eX\u0026sup2;\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChi-square\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRMR\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoot mean square residual\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGFI\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGoodness of fit indeks\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAGFI\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdjusted goodness of fit indeks\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIFI\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIncremental Fit Index\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNFI\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNormed fit indeks\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePES\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProteus effect scale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePESA\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProteus Effect Scale for Adolescents\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical approval and informed consent statements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThis study was conducted in strict accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved\u0026nbsp;by\u0026nbsp;the Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University \u0026nbsp;(E-20292139-050.01.04-7986). Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e: Not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors' contributions\u003c/strong\u003e : \u003cstrong\u003eEGT, İT, AA\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eConceptualization, \u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;İT:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp; Methodology, \u003cstrong\u003eEGT, AA:\u003c/strong\u003e Writing- Original draft preparation. \u003cstrong\u003eEGT, İT, AA\u003c/strong\u003e: Investigation, \u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;İT\u003c/strong\u003e: Formal analysis \u003cstrong\u003eEGT:\u003c/strong\u003e Writing- Reviewing and Editing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErikson EH. 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The interaction between players and their avatars is of growing interest to researchers exploring the psychological dynamics of gaming experiences.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eObjective\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study aimed to develop and validate the \"Proteus Effect Scale for Adolescents\" to examine how digital games influence adolescents' identities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMethods\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing criterion sampling, four distinct groups of adolescents were selected based on their engagement with digital gaming. The development of the scale began with a 15-item pilot test, which was refined through expert feedback and subsequent pilot testing, resulting in a final 10-item scale. The validity of the scale was assessed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Criterion-related validity was established by examining correlations with game addiction and neuroticism. Reliability was measured through internal consistency and test-retest reliability.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eResults\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEFA indicated a single factor explaining 50.029% of the variance, with a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of .897 and a significant Bartlett\u0026rsquo;s Sphericity test (χ\u0026sup2;= 2908.75, p=.000). CFA confirmed the unidimensional structure of the scale with strong fit indices: Chi-Square/df\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.891, RMR = .035, GFI = .94, AGFI = .91, CFI = .93, NFI = .90, IFI = .93, and RMSEA = .074. The scale showed significant correlations with game addiction (r = .526, p \u0026lt; .01) and neuroticism (r = .137, p \u0026lt; .01). Reliability analysis demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha = .87) and test-retest reliability (r = .75, p \u0026lt; .05).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusions\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Proteus Effect Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing avatar-player identification among adolescents. It shows strong psychometric properties and can be used to explore the influence of digital games on adolescent identity development.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"How do avatars shape the identity of adolescents? 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