Misconceptions About Video Games

Video games have frequently been portrayed in the media as, at best, a “waste of time,” and at worst, harmful to those who play them. However, there has been an increasing amount of research that not only contradicts these claims but identifies numerous benefits of playing video games.

Another common misconception of video games is that they are only for children, particularly male children; however, the people who play video games have continued to become an increasingly diverse group. The age of the average video game player is 35, and it is estimated that approximately 59% of those who play video games are male and 41% are female (Halbrook, O’Donell & Mstefi 2019).

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Video Games for Coping Skills and Emotional Regulation

Playing video games in moderation has been found to be an effective way to improve mental health. Recent research on the topic has consistently demonstrated that regularly playing video games may enhance an individual’s emotional intelligence, promote emotional regulation, and can be utilized as an effective coping skill to manage stress and negative feelings (Villani et al. 2018).

This research also identifies ways in which playing video games contributes to improved mood, including through the accomplishment of achieving goals and developing a sense of control over one’s environment. Additionally, a variety of genres and types of video games have been found to produce these effects, as long as they are personally relevant to the individual playing them.

Pearce et al.’s 2022 research also found that playing video games as a family can provide similar mental health benefits, allowing families to cope with collective stressors. However, it is important to note that these benefits are most impactful when video games are played in moderation, as excessive video game playing may not only reduce these benefits but also contribute to increased stress and negative feelings.

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Other Benefits of Video Games

In addition to the psychological benefits of moderate video game playing, video games have also been found to improve physical, cognitive, and social health. For example, Gray’s 2015 research found that playing video games provides a variety of benefits, including improving memory, attention, and decision-making abilities.

Video games have also demonstrated an ability to improve multitasking, reduce impulsivity, and even reverse some of the cognitive effects of aging on the brain. Other research has found that playing video games, both single-player and multiplayer, can significantly increase one’s socialization and communication skills (Halbrook, O’Donnell & Mstefi 2019).

Both competitive and cooperative video games can facilitate positive communication and allow socializing with others who are either in the same room or in entirely different locations. Single-player games also enhance these skills through decision-making and identifying with characters’ experiences within the game.

More recent “exergames,” or games intended for exercise, provide physical benefits comparable to traditional exercise and may even provide more enjoyment and motivation for some compared to traditional exercise.

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Summary

Video games may provide a wide range of benefits to those who play them, including managing mental, physical, and social health. Despite many myths and misconceptions, video games are enjoyed by people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

Although it is a relatively new field of study, research continues to identify how playing video games can help those who enjoy them manage stressors. However, the key, like many things in life, is moderation—play them thoughtfully, and your mental health will thank you!

Works Cited

• Gray, P. (2015). Cognitive benefits of playing video games. Psychology Today.

• Halbrook, Y. J., O’Donnell, A. T., & Msetfi, R. M. (2019). When and how video games can be good: A review of the positive effects of video games on well-being. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 14(6), 1096-1104.

• Pearce, K. E., Yip, J. C., Lee, J. H., Martinez, J. J., Windleharth, T. W., Bhattacharya, A., & Li, Q. (2022). Families playing animal crossing together: coping with video games during the COVID-19 pandemic. Games and Culture, 17(5), 773-794.

• Villani, D., Carissoli, C., Triberti, S., Marchetti, A., Gilli, G., & Riva, G. (2018). Videogames for emotion regulation: a systematic review. Games for health journal, 7(2), 85-99.

Image Credit: https://indivisiblegame.com/

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