Owning a video game console and playing video games can improve your mental well-being, according to researchers at Nihon University in Japan.

In their study published last month, titled “Causal effect of video gaming on mental well-being in Japan 2020-2022,” the researchers surveyed 97,602 individuals and employed statistical techniques to analyze how video games and game console ownership can impact a person’s psychological distress and life satisfaction.

The study found that increased engagement with video games led to mental health improvements and greater life satisfaction. Interestingly, the study found that the positive mental health impact was more profound for male PlayStation 5 owners, especially those in households without children or full-time employees. Meanwhile, young Nintendo Switch owners reported a significant positive impact on their well-being compared to older individuals.

Among survey respondents, 8,192 also took part in a game console lottery, which simulated how Japanese retailers, suffering from reduced supplies during the COVID-19 lockdowns, used lotteries to assign gaming consoles to consumers. Results indicated that winning a console improved mental well-being for individuals.

The study’s lead researcher, Hiroyuki Egami, told NewScientist that “if you enjoy your hobby, you’re going to find a good impact to your well-being.” As with any other hobbies, moderation is important to avoid issues like overspending on mobile game transactions and potential video game addiction. The World Health Organization officially recognizes gaming disorder as a disease characterized by impaired control over gaming, leading individuals to prioritize it over other interests despite negative consequences.

The study is available in its full entirety as an open access article at Nature.com.

Source: NewScientist

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