Excessive video game play has raised concerns among medical and scientific experts regarding its impact on mental health. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially classified video game addiction as a disorder. However, a recent study suggests that moderate gaming may actually support adolescents’ mental well-being.
Researchers at Nihon University in Japan discovered this and published their findings in the prestigious journal Nature Human Behavior. The authors note that previous research on video games and mental health has been inconsistent, often based on studies that can’t prove cause and effect.
Uncertainty Surrounds the Mental Health Effects of Video Games
“Due to significant disagreement in existing research and various methodological limitations, the true impact of video games on psychological well-being remains unclear,” the study authors noted.
To study cause and effect, researchers surveyed 8,192 people in Japan (ages 10–69) who entered lotteries for PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch consoles during a supply shortage from 2020 to 2022.
“Winning the lottery became the main factor determining whether someone could buy a console,” the researchers explained.
Moderate Gaming Linked to Slight Mental Health Boost, Study Finds
Researchers asked participants about their gaming habits and psychological distress—a key indicator of mental health. The study showed that lottery winners with console access reported slightly better mental well-being after about three hours of daily play.
Using a machine learning model, researchers found that gaming effects varied by console type and players’ sociodemographic factors. They observed that younger individuals who played on the Nintendo Switch experienced more benefits than older users.
Console Type, Gender, and Parenthood Influence Gaming’s Mental Health Impact
Additionally, the study found that PlayStation 5 users without children reported greater improvements in well-being than those with children. The PS5 had a stronger impact on men, while the benefits of owning a Switch appeared more balanced between genders, with a slight advantage for women.
“This underscores the importance of being specific and nuanced when studying the effects of video games,” said Peter Etchells of Bath Spa University in the UK, in an interview with New Scientist.
However, the study has some limitations. One limitation is that participants self-reported their gaming time, which may not be entirely accurate. Another is the timing—researchers collected the data during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have influenced gaming and well-being. Researchers recommend conducting further studies using the same approach to confirm the findings.
WHO Recognizes Video Game Addiction as a Medical Disorder
In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially classified video game addiction as a medical condition, adding it to the updated International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
According to the classification, gaming addiction involves a pattern of behavior marked by poor control over gaming, placing gaming above other daily responsibilities and interests, and continuing to play despite harmful consequences.
According to the WHO, gaming disorder must cause serious life disruptions and typically last at least 12 months to be diagnosed.
Read the original article on: Cnnbrasil