Study Finds Video Games Can Boost Mental Wellbeing across All Ages

Video games have long been maligned by parents and critics as detrimental to mental health, but recent research suggests they might provide significant psychological and cognitive benefits.

A study led by Dr. Hiroyuki Egami, assistant professor at Nihon University, analyzed gaming habits and mental health among 8,192 participants aged 10 to 69. The study, conducted during the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch console shortages from December 2020 to March 2022, revealed that gaming significantly improved mental wellbeing.

"These games can serve as distraction or emotional release, providing stress relief, mood enhancement, and a sense of accomplishment," Dr. Egami told Good Health.

Dr. Egami emphasized that the real-world experimental design of his research provided robust evidence of a causal link between gaming and improved mental health. "Our study now provides scientific evidence to ease some of the worries parents have about their children's gaming habits," he added.

This finding aligns with earlier studies, such as a 2020 University of Oxford report involving 3,270 adults, which linked gaming to better mental wellbeing. Similarly, Bath Spa University psychologist Pete Etchells noted that video games address basic psychological needs like autonomy, relatedness, and competency, aligning with "self-determination theory."

Research has also highlighted the cognitive benefits of video games. A University of Geneva study found that action games enhance perception, spatial cognition, and attention. Older adults who play puzzle games exhibit superior working memory, according to a 2023 York University study, while younger gamers excel in strategy-based tasks.

However, concerns remain. A World Health Organization report indicated that 12% of adolescents are at risk of problematic gaming, defined by symptoms like neglecting other activities or gaming to escape negative emotions. Experts, including Professor Mark Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University, attribute gaming addiction to a combination of individual, environmental, and game design factors.

Critics point to "loot boxes," which mimic gambling mechanics, as a growing concern. "There is a small but consistent correlation between loot box spending and problematic gambling behaviors," Professor Etchells explained.

While prolonged gaming shows diminishing benefits after three hours, studies find no evidence of harm. Dr. Egami recommends assessing gaming's role in one's life, advising, "If the alternative to gaming feels more meaningful, it may be a sign to reduce screen time."

Experts stress the importance of balancing gaming with other activities. "Video games, like food, should be consumed in a healthy, balanced 'diet' of activities," said Professor Etchells.