>A natural experiment born out of the COVID-19 pandemic’s supply chain disruptions has allowed scientists in Japan to uncover the causal effects of video gaming on mental health. The findings upend common perceptions of gaming as a threat to mental well-being. …
>The research team conducted five rounds of online surveys between December 2020 and March 2022, collecting data from 97,602 individuals aged 10 to 69 across Japan. The surveys asked participants about their gaming habits, mental health, life satisfaction, and other sociodemographic factors. Importantly, the researchers collected information about whether participants had won a gaming console lottery and whether they were using a console regularly. …
>Specifically, owning a Switch reduced psychological distress by about 0.2 standard deviations, and owning a PS5 reduced distress by 0.1 standard deviations. Life satisfaction also improved for PS5 owners by approximately 0.2 standard deviations. While these numbers don’t represent transformative changes, they point to real and positive shifts in well-being.
Pandsu
Wow having a fun hobby that you can partake in in a comfortable, low-stress environment makes you feel good
ilivalkyw
During covid, i lost a lot. I lost my grandma, my career, my relationship, my home, my country, and my belief that we had any control over our lives. I spiralled in deep depression for almost 3 years and couldn’t find anything to make me happy. I am a musician, but music didn’t even do anything anymore. I stopped playing completely, and just stared at walls…for years.
Since Zelda OoT, everytime there is a new zelda game, i buy the console, play the game and then sell the console (to keep my gf happy, haha). Most recently, i had bought BOTW in 2017, played it and had sold it and the switch. When TOTK came out in 2023, i bought it and a new switch.
Along with Zelda, i bought a game called subnautica…and i swear it’s saved my life. I have never had so much fun with a game (and i hate diving/snorkelling). The regular modes freak me out, but building bases in the creative mode of subnautica is like taking a mini vacation every day on planet 4546B. It is the most immersive game environment i’ve ever seen, and i feel like my life has gotten better in so many ways since i started playing that game. It gave me something to live for while i sorted my head out and got back on track.
A year later, i have a new career, a new relationship, a new band, and countless hours sunk into subnautica. I still haven’t finished zelda. Thanks to the creators of subnautica if you’re reading this. Amazing game, and i can’t wait to build some bases in subnautica 2 next year. The right game can absolutely help people live better lives.
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>A natural experiment born out of the COVID-19 pandemic’s supply chain disruptions has allowed scientists in Japan to uncover the causal effects of video gaming on mental health. The findings upend common perceptions of gaming as a threat to mental well-being.
…
>The research team conducted five rounds of online surveys between December 2020 and March 2022, collecting data from 97,602 individuals aged 10 to 69 across Japan. The surveys asked participants about their gaming habits, mental health, life satisfaction, and other sociodemographic factors. Importantly, the researchers collected information about whether participants had won a gaming console lottery and whether they were using a console regularly.
…
>Specifically, owning a Switch reduced psychological distress by about 0.2 standard deviations, and owning a PS5 reduced distress by 0.1 standard deviations. Life satisfaction also improved for PS5 owners by approximately 0.2 standard deviations. While these numbers don’t represent transformative changes, they point to real and positive shifts in well-being.
Wow having a fun hobby that you can partake in in a comfortable, low-stress environment makes you feel good
During covid, i lost a lot. I lost my grandma, my career, my relationship, my home, my country, and my belief that we had any control over our lives. I spiralled in deep depression for almost 3 years and couldn’t find anything to make me happy. I am a musician, but music didn’t even do anything anymore. I stopped playing completely, and just stared at walls…for years.
Since Zelda OoT, everytime there is a new zelda game, i buy the console, play the game and then sell the console (to keep my gf happy, haha). Most recently, i had bought BOTW in 2017, played it and had sold it and the switch. When TOTK came out in 2023, i bought it and a new switch.
Along with Zelda, i bought a game called subnautica…and i swear it’s saved my life. I have never had so much fun with a game (and i hate diving/snorkelling). The regular modes freak me out, but building bases in the creative mode of subnautica is like taking a mini vacation every day on planet 4546B. It is the most immersive game environment i’ve ever seen, and i feel like my life has gotten better in so many ways since i started playing that game. It gave me something to live for while i sorted my head out and got back on track.
A year later, i have a new career, a new relationship, a new band, and countless hours sunk into subnautica. I still haven’t finished zelda. Thanks to the creators of subnautica if you’re reading this. Amazing game, and i can’t wait to build some bases in subnautica 2 next year. The right game can absolutely help people live better lives.