A recent study has found that playing video games may actually improve well-being, contradicting the World Health Organization's classification of "gaming disorder." The study, conducted by researchers in Japan, took advantage of a unique situation during the Covid-19 pandemic to investigate the impact of gaming on mental health.
Participants in the study were surveyed after entering lotteries to win gaming consoles, such as PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch. The researchers found that those who won the lotteries reported slightly better mental well-being scores than those who did not, with the effect plateauing after about 3 hours of playing time per day.
The study also revealed that the impact of gaming on well-being varied depending on factors such as the type of console and the demographics of the player. Younger individuals with a Nintendo Switch saw a greater benefit compared to older players, and those without children reported a greater benefit from owning a PlayStation 5.
However, researchers caution that the self-reported playing times may not be entirely accurate, and the data was collected during a unique time of the pandemic, which could have influenced participants' gaming habits and well-being.
Overall, the study suggests that the relationship between video games and mental health is complex and may depend on various factors. Further research is needed to explore these findings in different contexts and to better understand the impact of gaming on overall well-being. For now, it seems that enjoying video games may not be as detrimental to mental health as previously thought.