Minimizing Toxicity and Maximizing Social Connection in Collegiate Esports Teams

Tonne, Julia, M.A., Spring 2024 Communication Studies Minimizing Toxicity and Maximizing Social Connection in Collegiate Esports Teams Chairperson: Dr. Joel Iverson Given possible benefits of social connection, the researcher analyzes how participation in the University of Montana’s Esports team influences students’ feelings of connection and their well-being. Participating in online gaming is associated with the risk of interacting with toxic behavior, especially for women and other minorities. The researcher further explores how toxic situations relate to feelings of social connection and well-being. Positive themes discovered include increased feelings of social connection for students in the program, experiences of social support and stress relief, and professional and personal development of social/communication skills. Negative themes discovered included identity-based harm and responses of the program to harm, favoritism, and inconsistent responses to toxicity from leadership, and the lingering effects of inequity within the online gaming environment. Research establishes how the University of Montana esports community succeeds at creating social opportunities for students, which can act as a blueprint for other esports or student affairs organizations.