Video games may replenish your energy and help you recover from work-related stress, according to a new study published in . applied psychology. The findings suggest that video games, especially when combined with a harmonious passion for the activity, can provide a feeling of recovery and energy the next morning, challenging the typical negative perceptions associated with this popular leisure activity. It suggests that there is a gender.
While previous research has often highlighted the negative effects of gaming, there is growing evidence to suggest that gaming may actually improve your mood and help you find relief from work stress. . In a new study, researchers from Istanbul Medipol University and Rotterdam Erams University aimed to explore the potential positive outcomes of gaming for employees.
To recruit participants, the researchers distributed flyers in video game stores across the Netherlands, Germany and Greece, used social networking sites such as Facebook, and advertised on gaming-related platforms. Participants were required to be employed and regular players of console-based video games. The final sample consisted of 65 respondents, most of whom were male (83%), with an average age of 25.46 years.
The majority of respondents (73%) worked full time, averaging 37.15 hours per week, and most had more than one year of work experience.
To collect the data, the researchers used a daily diary technique, which is effective in capturing day-to-day changes in an individual’s experiences and behaviors. Participants were asked to complete the questionnaire twice daily for at least 5 working days.
In the evening survey, participants reported on several important aspects of their after-work activities, such as the time they spent playing video games after work. In addition to this, the study also includes measures to psychologically detach from work and mastery experiences.
Psychological disengagement was assessed by an item asking participants whether they were able to forget about work and distance themselves from work-related thoughts during game time. Mastery experiences were measured by items investigating whether participants felt they learned new things or faced challenges during activities outside of work.
The morning survey, sent at the beginning of each day, was intended to assess the overnight influence of the previous night’s activity. These included measures of how recovered participants felt upon waking and their level of energy, which reflects both physical and cognitive alertness.
Researchers found that video games had a significant positive impact on psychological disengagement from work. Participants reported that a night of intense gaming allowed them to forget about work-related concerns and mentally distance themselves from work.
Video games not only aided psychological detachment, but also fostered mastery experiences. Participants felt that through games they learned new things and faced challenges different from their work.
The results also showed that the amount of time spent gaming was positively correlated with the quality of both detachment and mastery experiences. This suggests that spending more time playing games does more than just pass the time, it actively enhances the recovery process by reinforcing experiences of detachment and mastery.
Interestingly, the type of passion participants had for the game (congruent or obsessive) played a role in moderating these effects. Those who had a harmonious passion for the game and engaged in it freely and happily without being forced to do so reported greater benefits in terms of recovery. This form of passion fosters a healthier approach to activity, leading to more effective recovery outcomes.
In contrast, obsessive passion, characterized by an obsessive and uncontrollable urge to participate in games, does not significantly improve the recovery experience and, in some aspects, can interfere with sleep and sleep. This can lead to some excessive gaming behavior and undermine potential benefits. Other daily responsibilities.
“This study found that video games outside of work hours are beneficial for workers, contrary to preconceived stereotypes. and relief from work-related stress through the active recovery and development of social resources. Video games are an activity that can help you recover from the stress of daily work.”
However, this study has certain limitations that are worth considering. One notable limitation is the reliance on self-report data, which can introduce biases such as inaccurate recall and social desirability effects. Additionally, the use of daily diary methods, while beneficial for recording daily experiences, is limited in its ability to establish causal relationships.
Future research could address these limitations by incorporating objective measures of gaming activity, such as usage logs or real-time tracking, reducing reliance on self-reports and potentially improving the accuracy of data on gaming behavior. there is. Investigating the specific characteristics of video games that contribute most to recovery, such as game genre, complexity, and social interaction elements, would also increase our understanding of the mechanisms at play.
the study, “Relax from work with video games” was written by Ömer Erdem Koçak, Marjan Gorgievski, and Arnold B. Bakker.
