A natural experiment born from supply chain disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic has allowed Japanese scientists to uncover the causal link that video games have on mental health. This finding challenges the common perception that gaming is a threat to mental health.
In a study of individuals who won a lottery to purchase a gaming console such as the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 5, researchers found that owning a gaming console reduced psychological distress and increased life satisfaction. I discovered. Their research is nature human behavior.
There are nearly 3 billion gamers around the world, and gaming has become a major part of daily life for many people. However, the potential for harmful effects of gaming remains uncertain, especially since organizations such as the World Health Organization classify “gaming disorder” (a condition characterized by persistent gaming behavior) as a mental health problem in the International Classification of Diseases. There is growing concern about this.
The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred this discussion with a surge in gaming activity. Many parents and policy makers began to worry about whether gaming was having a negative impact on young people’s mental health. However, the psychological effects of gaming remain uncertain, as most of the existing research is based on observational studies that cannot establish cause and effect.
“As parents of three children ourselves, we were acutely aware of widespread concerns about the impact of video games on youth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” study authors wrote. states. Hiroyuki Egamiassistant professor at Nihon University. “Many parents, including ourselves, have felt guilty and anxious about our children’s gaming habits, fearing potential negative consequences. These concerns often create tension in homes and families.”
“Blogs from parents expressing guilt and fear over their children’s increased use of digital media during lockdown, when families were confined to their homes with parents working remotely and children out of school and kindergarten. As researchers in policy studies, we noticed a spike in posts and were interested in whether these concerns were supported by scientific evidence. , we were surprised to find no conclusive evidence to support these concerns, which further motivated us to explore this topic through an evidence-based approach.”
The study took advantage of the shortage of supply of Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 in Japan during the pandemic. Because of this shortage, retailers have organized a lottery to determine who can buy the consoles. The researchers viewed this lottery system as a natural experiment, with winning the lottery acting as a randomly assigned event that determined whether someone would buy a console and start playing the game. This setting provided a unique opportunity to examine the effects of gaming in a real-world setting, free from many of the biases that typically affect observational studies.
The research team conducted five online surveys between December 2020 and March 2022, collecting data from 97,602 people aged 10 to 69 across Japan. The survey asked participants about their gaming habits, mental health, life satisfaction, and other sociodemographic factors. Importantly, the researchers collected information on whether the participants had won the console lottery and whether they used the consoles regularly.
The primary outcomes of interest were psychological distress and life satisfaction measured through the widely used scales Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). These tools provided a snapshot of each participant’s mental health and overall satisfaction with life. Researchers also looked at how much time participants spent playing video games and whether they owned a gaming console to assess how these factors correlated with changes in happiness. I tracked it down.
“Before our study, existing literature on the association between video games and mental health showed mixed results,” Egami said. “Without causality studies, the actual relationship would have remained unknown, but based on related research, we expect effects ranging from positive to negative, or possibly no significant effect at all.” there is.”
The researchers used advanced statistical techniques such as multivariate regression, propensity score matching, and instrumental variable methods to ensure the results were as accurate as possible. The results showed that people who won the lottery and bought a game console experienced reduced psychological distress and increased life satisfaction.
“The study’s second author, epidemiologist Dr. Shafiur Rahman, was most surprised to see this result,” Egami told SciPost. “In his field, concerns about the negative effects of gaming are widespread among researchers. However, the robust methodology of our study challenges these preconceptions and makes it possible to study the impact of digital media on health. This highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to
Specifically, owning a Switch decreased psychological distress by approximately 0.2 standard deviations, and owning a PS5 decreased distress by 0.1 standard deviations. Life satisfaction among PS5 owners also increased by about 0.2 standard deviations. Although these numbers do not represent transformative changes, they do indicate real positive changes in well-being.
“The stereotype that video games are particularly harmful to children is not supported by our data,” Egami said. “We found that Nintendo Switch actually showed greater benefits for children’s mental health compared to adults.”
“For parents: It’s natural to be concerned about your child’s gaming habits, but our research suggests these concerns may be overblown,” he added. Ta. “Imposing unnecessary restrictions can increase tensions around gaming in the household, which can have a negative impact on both you and your children. Gaming can be beneficial, but to maintain its positive effects A more balanced and individualized approach is recommended, keeping in mind that moderation is key.”
Further analysis revealed that the positive effects of gaming on mental health were more pronounced in certain groups of people. For example, gaming significantly improved mental health among younger people and those with higher levels of initial distress. Younger people benefited more from owning a Nintendo Switch, while owning a PlayStation 5 had a stronger positive effect for older participants.
Additionally, hardcore gamers who played video games more frequently and more intensely showed significant improvements in mental health from owning a PlayStation 5, while more casual gamers showed significantly improved mental health from owning a Switch. I’ve found that I get more benefit from it. However, the researchers also found that the benefits of gaming diminished when people played for more than three hours a day, suggesting moderation is key to reaping the mental health benefits of gaming.
Egami emphasized that “balance is important.” “Games have diminishing returns when played in excess. We observed positive effects, but the effects started to level off after about three hours of play per day. Too much of anything diminishes its value. Masu.”
“Interestingly, we may not be the most surprised by the results,” he said. “While discussing our research with other scientists, we came across some who firmly believe that video games must have a negative impact on mental well-being and overall quality of life. It appears that some people hold these beliefs with unwavering conviction despite the lack of evidence. Our findings are therefore not only surprising, but also support these long-held beliefs. It’s also an interesting challenge.”
Despite the positive findings, this study had several limitations. One important consideration is that the data were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of heightened stress and limited physical activity. The researchers acknowledged that the unusual circumstances of the pandemic may have influenced the study results and amplified the positive effects of the game. They suggested that future studies in non-pandemic settings are needed to see if these benefits hold up in different settings.
“Due to reduced opportunities for physical activity during lockdown, people may have been less likely to play games instead of exercise. Potential negative effects gaming may have on mental health We were able to effectively eliminate the route,” Egami explained. “Given these special circumstances, current estimates of the positive effects of gaming are likely to be high compared to those seen in pre- and post-pandemic situations.
“However, we do not believe that the pandemic alone is responsible for the beneficial effects identified in our study. Our paper explores the multiple mechanisms by which gaming positively impacts mental health. It is outlined in.
Additionally, this study focused on two specific gaming consoles, the Nintendo Switch and PS5, so the results may not apply to other types of games, such as mobile or PC games. The researchers also relied on self-reported data, which can be inaccurate in some cases, but by using a lottery-based natural experiment they were able to reduce potential bias in their results. . Looking ahead, the researchers plan to investigate the mechanisms behind gaming’s positive effects on mental health.
“Our long-term research goals are multifaceted,” Egami explained. “First, we aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms that explain the positive effects of gaming on mental health. These and other potential outcomes may include investigating whether they meet people’s social needs, promote social connection, enhance cognitive engagement, provide meaningful experiences, and reduce stress. Understanding the mediating variables may help explain why and how video games positively impact mental health, and whether that impact persists across different contexts and game formats. .”
“By better understanding these mechanisms, we hope to develop models that can predict the impact that particular gaming experiences have on individuals. This knowledge can be used to improve practical applications such as personalized game recommendations on online platforms. Ultimately, these recommendations are aimed at increasing player enjoyment and well-being, unlike current systems whose primary purpose is to increase sales. Our goal is to contribute to improving the overall gaming experience and player well-being through an evidence-based, personalized approach.”
By leveraging a unique natural experiment, researchers go beyond the limitations of previous research and provide clearer insight into how gaming affects life satisfaction and psychological distress. is completed. Although further research is needed to fully understand the long-term implications of these findings, the new study provides a solid foundation for future investigations into the relationship between video games and mental health.
“Widely held beliefs about the negative effects of gaming have a huge impact on public perception,” Egami said. “Many parents feel guilty or overly concerned about their children’s video gaming habits, fearing the potential negative effects. Despite the lack of solid scientific evidence, these concerns are During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have become especially sensitive to these concerns and have begun to explore evidence-based approaches to address this issue. As a father of three wonderful children (Hiroyuki Egami, first author), our research now provides strong scientific evidence to alleviate some of those concerns. As a mother (Chihiro Egami, fourth author), I hope that our research can provide some reassurance to parents in similar situations.”
the study, “The causal effect of video games on mental health in Japan 2020–2022” is written by Hiroyuki Egami, Md. Shafiur Rahman, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Chihiro Egami, and Takahisa Wakabayashi.
