Virtual Escapes, Real Benefits: Open-World Games Boost Mental Well-Being -

A visual abstract summarizing the key findings of the article titled “Open-World Games’ Affordance of Cognitive Escapism, Relaxation, and Mental Well-Being Among Postgraduate Students: Mixed Methods Study” published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research in 2024. The study found that open-world games offer substantial benefits for cognitive escapism, significantly reducing stress and enhancing mental health and well-being for postgraduate students.

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License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY)

Open-world games provide stress relief and relaxation to postgraduate students, new study finds

(Toronto, December 18, 2024) A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research has found that open-world video games can significantly improve relaxation and mental well-being among postgraduate students. Open-world games, known for their expansive environments and player autonomy, offer a form of cognitive escapism that helps players disconnect from daily stressors and enhance their mood.

The study, a collaboration between researchers from Imperial College London, United Kingdom, and the University of Graz, Austria, used a mixed methods approach: they combined survey data from 609 players and in-depth interviews of 32 players. Popular titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom were found to provide players with a sense of freedom and autonomy, allowing them to explore and interact with virtual worlds at their own pace.

This cognitive escapism was closely linked to reduced stress levels and improved mental health. The analysis showed that playing open-world games directly boosted participants’ relaxation levels, which positively impacted well-being.

“Open-world games can offer a sense of exploration, a chance to develop and experience mastery and skill, a sense of positivity, and even purpose and meaning in life.” says Andreas B. Eisingerich of Imperial College London.

Immersive gaming experiences could serve as a method for stress management and mental health improvement. Future research could explore the long-term therapeutic potential, particularly for managing stress and anxiety in other populations.

Original article:

Anto A, Basu A, Selim R, Foscht T, Eisingerich A
Open-World Games’ Affordance of Cognitive Escapism, Relaxation, and Mental Well-Being Among Postgraduate Students: Mixed Methods Study
DOI: 10.2196/63760

J Med Internet Res 2024;26:e63760
URL: https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e63760

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