Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Mass Communication - Department of Radio and Television

This study examines the impact of virtual communities{u2019} usage on identity among the Egyptian youth. Italso seeks to explore why the Egyptian youth use virtual communities. This study is based on three predispositions: Firstly, certain factors of virtual world experience affect virtual self-representation. These factors are represented by: (a) level of immersion, (b) avatar similarity, and (c) avatar self-identification; Secondly, self-concept mediating the relationship between virtual world experience and virtual self-presentation; Thirdly, the perceptions of real life changes are affected by the variables of virtual world experiences. The impact of the demographic characteristics on the participants' usage of virtual communities is further examined. Using a mixed-method approach, this study applies online questionnaires on a sample of 400 respondents; 200 users of Second Life virtual world and 200 users of IMVU virtual world. Moreover, in depth interviews are conducted with the users of Second Life and IMVU virtual worlds.The results suggest that social and emotional factors are the main motivations for using Second Life virtual world followed by hedonic motivations, while entertaining motivations are found to motivate IMVU users to a great extent followed by social motivations. In line with self-presentation theory, the findings prove that virtual communities have created a unique environment of anonymity, which allows for identity experimentation with multiple selves. The results also show that the respondents{u2019} virtual world experience has a great impact on various aspects of their real lives. The demographic characteristics; particularly age, marital status and the experience of using the virtual world are found to have an influence on the participants{u2019} usage of virtual environments

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