The Psychology of Esports

Erscheinungsjahr 2026
ISBN: 978-3-032-25089-6
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, 150 Seiten, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 241 mm, Gewicht: 428 g

The esports industry has grown into a multi-billion-dollar market, attracting millions of players and spectators worldwide. However, the psychological aspects of esports and its players remain largely unexplored in academic literature. The Psychology of Esports aims to bridge this gap by providing an in-depth analysis of the cognitive, emotional, and social dynamics that influence esports players. The book not only sheds light on how esports psychology is formed, but also discusses the field within the framework of psychological theories. By examining the many mental factors affecting players' performance (cognitive, emotional, physiological, and medical), this argument contends that esports psychology should be recognised as a distinct field.

Integrating insights from education, psychology, neuroscience, medicine, and sports science, the book offers a thorough framework for understanding the mental health/psychology of esports. It provides valuable guidance for players, coaches, and academic researchers. Beyond its academic contributions, the book has practical implications for multiple parties in the esports ecosystem. For example, coaches and team managers can use its findings to improve player mental performance and well-being. In contrast, psychologists and mental health professionals can use it to address issues such as gaming addiction, burnout, and anxiety. Additionally, game creators and industry leaders can use psychological insights to design more balanced and engaging esports environments. By fostering a deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms behind esports, this book contributes to the long-term success of the esports industry and the well-being of those esports players.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Bekir, Seyhan

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologie / Allgemeines & Theorie Psychologie: Allgemeines
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologische Disziplinen Sportpsychologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologische Disziplinen Gesundheitspsychologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Allgemeine Psychologie Kognitionspsychologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Esports Psychology.- Esports, Online Gaming, and Addiction: A Triadic Perspective.- Attachment and Relational Regulation in Esports Psychology: Understanding Performance in Digital Environments.- Esports and Emotion Regulation: The Role of the Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) Model.- Psychological Coaching in Esports: From Theory to Practice.- Psychological Recovery on Esports: Balancing Mental Load, Stress, and Performance.- Cognitive Load and Attention in Esports.- Reaction Time and Focus on Esports.- Physical Activity in Esports.- Esports Players and Health: A Medical Perspective.- (Illicit) Performance Optimization and Ethics.- The State of Esports Analytics: A Thematic Analysis of Tools, Challenges and Emerging Directions.

Über Autor(innen)

Dr. Seyhan Bekir is a scholar working both academically and practically in the field of sport psychology and esports psychology. He completed his psychotherapy training with accreditation from the European Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (EACBT). His academic work primarily focuses on esports, digital games, and behavioural addictions, and he has published several studies in reputable international journals in these areas.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Bekir has provided psychological support to professional and semi-professional esports teams competing in Tier-A and Tier-S leagues. He has also worked with teams in major esports titles such as Counter-strike-2 and League of Legends, supporting players’ psychological performance and well-being.

Dr. Bekir currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Demiroglu Bilim University in Istanbul, Türkiye. Alongside his academic responsibilities, he continues to collaborate with sports and esports teams, focusing on performance psychology, mental-resilience, and athlete well-being.