Factors influencing the intentions of people with disabilities to participate in e-sports: An application of the theory of planned behavior

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence the intention of people with disabilities to participate in e-sports and actual participation. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used as a theoretical framework to guide this study. Involving 243 participants with a mean age of 42.56 years (SD = 18.14), this study encompasses a range of disabilities, predominantly physical (47.0%), representing diverse educational backgrounds with 20.1% having at least a college education. The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. We found that both attitudes toward e-sports and perceived behavioral control to engage in e-sports were positively associated with e-sports participation intention. Intention, in turn, was positively associated with actual e-sports participation. Furthermore, e-sports participation intention mediated the relationship between attitude toward e-sports and perceived behavioral control. This study has the potential to contribute to the academic discourse by identifying factors that may influence the intention of people with disabilities to engage in e-sports, employing the TPB. The results can help researchers and practitioners understand how to design effective interventions to promote e-sports participation among people with disabilities.