Wellbeing, mental health, and video games: a shifting narrative from player to industry perspective

The aim of this study was to synthesize the evidence on the effects of active video games (AVGs) on mental health, physical fitness and body composition of children and adolescents. A search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed; MEDLINE (by Ovid); SportDiscus, Cochrane library systematic reviews (CENTRAL) and EMBASE with no language restrictions during October 2020. Reviews on the use of AVGs were included in the study. We use the AMSTAR (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews) scale to analyze the methodological quality of the studies. Seventeen systematic reviews and meta-analyzes were included on the effects of AVGs with 30 to 4728 children and adolescents of both sexes with ages ranging from 6 to 19 years. In five studies, the population was overweight or obese. Regarding the quality, 12 studies were of moderate quality, two had high quality, two had low quality and one showed very low quality. The analyzed data indicate that the use of AVGs with a frequency of 1 to 3 times a week with durations of between 10 and 90 min per day shows positive effects on mental health and physical functioning. There was moderate quality evidence that AVGs can result in benefits for self-esteem, increased energy expenditure, physical activity and reduced body mass index in children and adolescents who used AVGs in the home environment. Further research is needed on this tool to help in the process of social isolation and consequently in promoting health and well-being.

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New Social Horizons: Anxiety, Isolation, and Animal Crossing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Virtual Reality ◽

10.3389/frvir.2021.627350 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Joanna E. Lewis ◽

Mia Trojovsky ◽

Molly M. Jameson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Video Games ◽

Video Game ◽

Online Survey ◽

Simulation Game ◽

New Horizons ◽

Emotional Outcomes ◽

Social Gaming ◽

The Impact

Increased participation in activities has been associated with improved positive mental health outcomes. However, there is much debate regarding the net effects of video games on individuals. Typified as a socially isolating activity, many games inherently contain socialization within the environment with game-generated characters or other players. Coinciding with the time of the initial pandemic/quarantine period was the release of a popular socializing and life simulation game, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. We investigated whether participation in this game was related to emotional outcomes associated with pandemics (e.g., loneliness and anxiety). The relationship between deleterious mental health and social gaming, amid a time of enforced reduction in socializing, would allow us to isolate the impact of the introduction of a social video game on improving the quality of life for players of this game. Participants (n = 1053) were asked about their time spent playing video games via an online survey, their socialization in game play, loneliness, and anxiety. We predicted that participants with higher levels of social interaction within the game would report less loneliness and anxiety. Utilizing multiple linear regression analyses, the research found that increased gaming and related activities were predictive of higher anxiety and somewhat related to increased loneliness. However, increased visits to another island were associated with lower levels of loneliness. As such, players may be utilizing gaming as a coping mechanism for anxiety. This research may inform generalized research regarding the influence that social games may have on feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

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Digital Game Interventions for Youth Mental Health Services (Gaming My Way to Recovery): Protocol for a Scoping Review

JMIR Research Protocols ◽

10.2196/13834 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. e13834

Author(s):

Manuela Ferrari ◽

Sarah V McIlwaine ◽

Jennifer Ann Reynolds ◽

Suzanne Archie ◽

Katherine Boydell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Video Games ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Video Game ◽

Digital Games ◽

Youth Mental Health ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Digital Game

Background Digital or video games are played by millions of adolescents and young adults around the world and are one of the technologies used by youths to access mental health services. Youths with mental health problems strongly endorse the use of technologies, including mobile and online platforms, to receive information, support their treatment journeys (eg, decision-making tools), and facilitate recovery. A growing body of literature explores the advantages of playing digital games for improving attention span and memory, managing emotions, promoting behavior change, and supporting treatment for mental illness (eg, anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder). The research field has also focused on the negative impact of video games, describing potential harms related to aggression, addiction, and depression. To promote clarity on this matter, there is a great need for knowledge synthesis offering recommendations on how video games can be safely and effectively adopted and integrated into youth mental health services. Objective The Gaming My Way to Recovery scoping review project assesses existing evidence on the use of digital game interventions within the context of mental health services for youths (aged 11-29 years) using the stepped care model as the conceptual framework. The research question is as follows: For which youth mental health conditions have digital games been used and what broad objectives (eg, prevention, treatment) have they addressed? Methods Using the methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, this scoping review will map the available evidence on the use of digital games for youths between 11 and 29 years old with mental health or substance use problems, or both. Results The review will bring together evidence-based knowledge to assist mental health providers and policymakers in evaluating the potential benefits and risks of these interventions. Following funding of the project in September 2018, we completed the search in November 2018, and carried out data screening and stakeholder engagement activities during preparation of the protocol. We will conduct a knowledge synthesis based on specific disorders, treatment level and modality, type of service, population, settings, ethical practices, and user engagement and offer recommendations concerning the integration of video game technologies and programs, future research and practice, and knowledge dissemination. Conclusions Digital game interventions employ unique, experiential, and interactive features that potentially improve skills and facilitate learning among players. Digital games may also provide a new treatment platform for youths with mental health conditions. Assessing current knowledge on video game technology and interventions may potentially improve the range of interventions offered by youth mental health services while supporting prevention, intervention, and treatment. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/13834

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Gaming your mental health: A narrative review on mitigating depression and anxiety symptoms via commercial video games (Preprint)

JMIR Serious Games ◽

10.2196/26575 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Magdalena Kowal ◽

Eoin Conroy ◽

Niall Ramsbottom ◽

Tim Smithies ◽

Adam Toth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Video Games ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Depression And Anxiety

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Digital Game Interventions for Youth Mental Health Services (Gaming My Way to Recovery): Protocol for a Scoping Review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.13834 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Manuela Ferrari ◽

Sarah V McIlwaine ◽

Jennifer Ann Reynolds ◽

Suzanne Archie ◽

Katherine Boydell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Video Games ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Video Game ◽

Digital Games ◽

Youth Mental Health ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Digital Game

BACKGROUND Digital or video games are played by millions of adolescents and young adults around the world and are one of the technologies used by youths to access mental health services. Youths with mental health problems strongly endorse the use of technologies, including mobile and online platforms, to receive information, support their treatment journeys (eg, decision-making tools), and facilitate recovery. A growing body of literature explores the advantages of playing digital games for improving attention span and memory, managing emotions, promoting behavior change, and supporting treatment for mental illness (eg, anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder). The research field has also focused on the negative impact of video games, describing potential harms related to aggression, addiction, and depression. To promote clarity on this matter, there is a great need for knowledge synthesis offering recommendations on how video games can be safely and effectively adopted and integrated into youth mental health services. OBJECTIVE The Gaming My Way to Recovery scoping review project assesses existing evidence on the use of digital game interventions within the context of mental health services for youths (aged 11-29 years) using the stepped care model as the conceptual framework. The research question is as follows: For which youth mental health conditions have digital games been used and what broad objectives (eg, prevention, treatment) have they addressed? METHODS Using the methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, this scoping review will map the available evidence on the use of digital games for youths between 11 and 29 years old with mental health or substance use problems, or both. RESULTS The review will bring together evidence-based knowledge to assist mental health providers and policymakers in evaluating the potential benefits and risks of these interventions. Following funding of the project in September 2018, we completed the search in November 2018, and carried out data screening and stakeholder engagement activities during preparation of the protocol. We will conduct a knowledge synthesis based on specific disorders, treatment level and modality, type of service, population, settings, ethical practices, and user engagement and offer recommendations concerning the integration of video game technologies and programs, future research and practice, and knowledge dissemination. CONCLUSIONS Digital game interventions employ unique, experiential, and interactive features that potentially improve skills and facilitate learning among players. Digital games may also provide a new treatment platform for youths with mental health conditions. Assessing current knowledge on video game technology and interventions may potentially improve the range of interventions offered by youth mental health services while supporting prevention, intervention, and treatment. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/13834

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Video games and mental health

10.1016/b978-0-323-91497-0.00006-0 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Patrick M. Markey ◽

Brooke Berry ◽

Erika Feeney

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Video Games

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Game Changers

Advances in E-Business Research - Handbook of Research on Pathways and Opportunities Into the Business of Esports ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-7300-6.ch010 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 200-221

Author(s):

Christopher Adam West ◽

J. Vincent Nix ◽

Krystal M Hinerman

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Video Games ◽

Student Athletes ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Research Gaps ◽

Business Opportunities ◽

K 12

This chapter examines the literature and business opportunities surrounding K-12 eSports, competitive events where athletes play video games against each other. Topics include an overview of existing scholastic eSports offerings and organizations that facilitate competition, the effects on student athletes' physical and mental health, the growth of eSports venues, and the identification of research gaps and business opportunities related to increasing eSports access for younger student athletes and their communities.

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Gaming Works! Mental Health and Wellness in Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games

Proceedings of the Annual Conference of CAIS / Actes du congrès annuel de l'ACSI ◽

10.29173/cais659 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Diane Rasmussen Neal ◽

Caroline Whippey

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Video Games ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Role Playing ◽

Health And Wellness ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Role Playing Games ◽

The Relationship ◽

Massively Multiplayer

The popularity of video games as a source of entertainment is undeniable, but games attract unfortunate attention regarding the potentially negative impact on gamers’ lives. Through semi-structured interviews and phenomenographical analysis, we will explore the relationship between hardcore gamers’ views on MMORPG features and their feelings of mental well-being.La popularité des jeux vidéo comme source de divertissement est indéniable, mais malheureusement les jeux suscitent des craintes quant à leurs effets potentiellement négatifs dans la vie des joueurs. Grâce à des entrevues semi structurées et une analyse phénoménographique, nous explorerons la relation entre l’opinion des joueurs avides de jeux RPG massivement multijoueur sur les caractéristiques des jeux et leurs sentiments de bien-être mental.

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Analysis of the Usefulness of a Serious Game to Raise Awareness about Mental Health Problems in a Sample of High School and University Students: Relationship with Familiarity and Time Spent Playing Video Games

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm8101504 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 1504 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cangas ◽

Navarro ◽

Aguilar-Parra ◽

Trigueros ◽

Gallego ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

High School ◽

Video Games ◽

University Students ◽

Video Game ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychological Disorders ◽

Health Problems ◽

Serious Game ◽

Control Group

Background: One of the main challenges in the field of mental health today is the stigma towards individuals who have psychological disorders. Aims: This study aims to analyse the usefulness of applying a serious game developed for the purpose of raising awareness among students about mental health problems and analyse whether its usefulness can be influenced by the type of video games or the time that students usually devote to playing with this type of entertainment. Method: The serious game introduces four characters who display the symptoms of different psychological disorders. A total of 530 students participated in the study, 412 of whom comprised the experimental group and 118 the control group, 291 came from secondary school classes and 239 were university students. Results: The findings show that this serious game significantly reduced total stigma among students. Variables like time habitually spent playing video games or video game preference had no bearing on the results. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the serious game is an appropriated tool to reduce stigma, both in high school and university students, independently of the type of video games that young people usually play, or time spent playing video games.

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