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 it is for children, particularly male children; however, the people who play video games has 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).
Video games for coping skills and emotional regulation
Playing video games in moderation has been found as 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 some ways in which playing video games contributes to one’s 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 also 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 contribute to increased stress and negative feelings.
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 provided a variety of benefits including improving memory, attention and decision-making abilities. It also has demonstrated an ability to improve multitasking, reducing impulsivity, and even reversing some of the cognitive effects aging has on the brain. Other research has found that playing video games, both single player games and multiplayer games, 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 experience socializing with others who are either in the same room or in an entirely different location from you. Single player games also enhance these skills through decision making and identifying with characters' experiences within the game. This same research also describes how more recent “exergames”, games intended for the purpose of exercising, provide physical benefits comparable to traditional exercise and may even provide more enjoyability and motivation for some compared to traditional exercise.
Summary
Video games may provide a wide range of benefits to those who play them, including in managing their mental, physical and social health. Despite many myths and misconceptions, video games are enjoyed by many different people, from young to old, of all genders and backgrounds. Although it is a relatively new field of study, more and more research continues to identify how playing video games can help those who enjoy them with many of their stressors. However, the key, like to many things in life, is to enjoy them in moderation 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.
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