Thanks to an innovative study, a surprising fact emerges: playing video games can reduce stress and increase life satisfaction, especially in young people
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For years, i video games they have been accused of causing social isolation, psychological disorders and even addictions. Concerned parents, stern teachers and wary politicians have often pointed the finger at joysticks and consoles. But today one arrives scientific revelation that turns this narrative upside down: playing video games can improve the mental well-being and increase life satisfaction.
The study, published in the prestigious journal Nature Human Behavioris the largest ever conducted on this topic. Analyzing 97,602 responses collected in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found clear evidence: Owning and playing video games brings real psychological benefits.
And no, it’s not just a matter of temporary distraction. The team led by Hiroyuki Egamia professor at Nihon University, used a unique method to eliminate any doubts about the causal link between gaming and mental well-being: they studied the behavior of those who won a Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 5 console thanks to lotteries established during the supply crisis. Egami commented on the results as follows:
We’ve proven that gaming isn’t just a temporary escape, it really can improve psychological well-being of those who play, in a significant and lasting way.
How do video games help the mind?
During the pandemic, the console have become unobtainable, prompting Japanese retailers to introduce random lotteries to select who would be lucky enough to purchase them. This situation allowed the researchers to conduct a perfect natural experiment, eliminating the usual selection biases.
The team compared whose mental health he won a console with that of those who were left empty-handed. The results? Those who had access to video games reported:
The effects, albeit modestwere significant:
For those who don’t know statistics, a standard deviation indicates how much a value deviates from the average: 0.6 is a moderate-large improvement, while 0.2 is considered small but significant, as Egami explains:
Many previous studies have observed correlations, but could not say whether video games actually improved well-being. Our experimental approach shows that the benefits are real and measurable.
Video games: not a problem, but a resource (if used well)
The results of this research pave the way for a broader vision balanced and positive of video games. During the pandemic, when social interaction was limited, consoles and games delivered for many people a refugea way to reduce stress and feel connected.
Second Md. Shafiur Rahmanepidemiologist at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, this study is groundbreaking:
Challenge years of fears and prejudices about video games. We have to take an approach more nuanced when evaluating the impact of digital media on mental health.
This means that for parents, educators and politicians, the issue is not alone how long you pass in front of the screen, but as that time is used. Playing Mario Kart with friends and siblings is very different from spending hours isolated in a solitary game. The key? Moderation: a few hours a day brings benefits, but exceeding them three hours daily nullifies the observed advantages.
The future: less prejudice and more awareness
The researchers recognize that the pandemic context played an important role: video games became a lifeline during a period of unprecedented isolation. But the data collected represents a solid base for future studies.
This discovery could prompt global organizations, such as theWHO and theUNICEFa review their positions on video games. In 2019, the WHO classified “gaming disorder” as a clinical condition, fueling often unjustified fears. But today we can say it with more certainty: playing is not a threatOn the contrary. For many, it is a way to feel better about themselves and others.
The question to ask is no longer “How much do you play?”, but rather “Why do you play and how does it make you feel?”
Moderation, balance and awareness can turn video games into one precious resource for mental well-being. The often-maligned pixels on our screens really can bring some light in our lives.
