As gamers, you've almost certainly heard of video games being the cause of problems, usually in regards to mental health. There have been hundreds of studies throughout the years, claiming that playing violent video games leads to more mass shootings, or a lack of empathy towards others--something even parroted by the former United States president. This time, however, there's a more positive study going around. The University of Oxford has just completed its study on if video games impact mental health. According to that study, which oversaw 38,935 different gamers across English-speaking countries over the course of six weeks. gaming has "little effect" on a person's well-being. The games were a mix of a variety of different genres and violence levels, with the titles involved being Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Eve Online, Forza Horizon 4, Apex Legends, The Crew 2, and Gran Turismo: Sport.

Andrew Przybylski, a researcher involved in the study, claimed, "our study finds little to no evidence of connections between gameplay and well-being." The study itself made the determination that, "the impact of time spent playing video games on wellbeing is probably too small to be subjectively noticeable and not credibly different from zero." As is the case with most studies, though, there's plenty of room for error, or misrepresentation; while the results were in favor of video games not affecting gamers' mental health negatively, the team stated that the conclusions drawn from the study were "tenative", and that they'd, ideally, want to research a wider assortment of games, and over a longer course of time.

Source

 

[Veho]

The study surveyed 38,935 players from the English-speaking world, asking them to rate their mental wellbeing and comparing it with the amount of time they spent gaming in the previous two weeks.

I want to see the questionnaire.

 

[tabzer]

After playing GTA for a couple of weeks I went for an actual irl drive in my car. I saw a line of schoolchildren walking on the sidewalk near a historical part of town. I was really tempted to run them down, just to see what happened. I have never been so ashamed of videogames in my life. How could they censor GTA like this and exclude the children?? If only GTA would include children, then I wouldn't have to wonder!

 

[Marc_LFD]

There's a music genre which seems to make people violent, no not rock or metal, it's called "drill" (somewhat similar to Hip Hop, I'd say).

While movies and games don't have that effect, Mainstream Media (by indoctrinating its viewers) and media (content) which delves in disturbing content can impact a person. On YouTube, there was a girl (Cayleigh Elise) who covered the true crime subject and she completely removed herself because that's something that can change a person for the worse (depression, dark thoughts, etc).

 

[Xzi]

Almost as if it's a hobby just like any other. Who woulda thunk.

 

[CeeDee]

gamers have shit mental health by default, it can't get worse than it already is

 

[Xzi]

gamers Americans have shit mental health by default, it can't get worse than it already is

FTFY

 

[Noctosphere]

Well, i'm a french speaking gamer, so it doesn't concern me... MUAHAHAHHAHAHSHDBCIIEJDIGIRJOSOWJFOFJ NE RED ICJSI CRÉEZ JRXUDIX HIHI CK

 

[tabzer]

FTFY

Nah. You don't have to be an American to suffer mental illness.

 

[Xzi]

Nah. You don't have to be an American to suffer mental illness.

True, but it ups your odds significantly.

 

[Bladexdsl]

unless you play fortnite your mental if you play that

 

[tabzer]

True, but it ups your odds significantly.

While calling yourself an American might be a form of mental illness, I think those who appeal to forms of escapism, that videogames specialize in, are already somewhat discontent with life. Being a gamer could be a symptom.

 

[CeeDee]

FTFY

checks out

 

[Xzi]

While calling yourself an American might be a form of mental illness, I think those who appeal to forms of escapism, that videogames specialize in, are already somewhat discontent with life. Being a gamer could be a symptom.

Nah it can just be stress relief too, doesn't have to be used as escapism. And even when it is that's not really a problem either, so long as it doesn't become an addiction that prevents you from taking care of yourself in other ways. Or causes you to neglect relationships with family/friends.

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checks out

Well yeah, I'm speaking from experience. Both my own and that of everybody I've ever met.

 

[tabzer]

Nah it can just be stress relief too, doesn't have to be used as escapism. And even when it is that's not really a problem either, so long as it doesn't become an addiction that prevents you from taking care of yourself in other ways.

Calling it by another name doesn't mean it isn't a form of escapism. Where do you think I am actually blaming video games?

Well yeah, I'm speaking from experience. Both my own and that of everybody I've ever met.

::Lives in America:: "Oh gee. This must be where everything happens."

 

[ertre]

I mean, we've known this since the 90s.

 

[Deleted member 194275]

Oh my dear fucking atheist god. This too already became a domestic USA discussion. Now it'll take just few moments to the "Texas" world to show up.

 

[Robika]

Almost as if it's a hobby just like any other. Who woulda thunk.

Yeah, do they run these studies on Gun hobbist? People who hunt for fun?
Yet I am a threat due to my 1000+ hours in Animal Crossing new horizons.

 

[tabzer]

my 1000+ hours in Animal Crossing new horizons.

"Hello, FBI. I'd like to report a potential terrorist."

 

[Xzi]

Where do you think I am actually blaming video games?

I don't, and I didn't accuse you of that. Chill.

::Lives in America:: "Oh gee. This must be where everything happens."

You just love to try to pick fights, don't you? I said America is the country I have the most personal experience with, and you try to twist my words into egocentric nationalism. Believe me, I'd rather have more experience living in other countries, though I did briefly live in Germany when I was really young.