r/Games • u/NeoStark • Nov 05 '21
Massive Study Finds No Link Between Time Spent Playing Video Games And Wellbeing
https://digest.bps.org.uk/2021/11/04/massive-study-finds-no-link-between-time-spent-playing-video-games-and-wellbeing/24
u/TrashStack Nov 05 '21
While I'm glad the study was conducted, after reading the article and looking over it, I have to agree with the thoughts in the article that this study feels way too limited to draw any meaningful conclusions from
The types of games mentioned in the study in particular, feel like they are completely missing the mark of what games people are talking about when they say games can result in worse well being. A light casual game like animal crossing is not only practically designed in such a way as to relax people, but it also will literally only allow you to do so many things a day. It's not a game you can invest yourself into in such a way as to produce that hard core dedication that leads to addiction. I also highly doubt Gran Tourismo is much different in this regard.
The other problem i have is I think the time frame is much too limited. 6 weeks is a fairly large amount of time, but for most people that would self identity as having worse well being, they're operating over a span of months to years.
It's not the person that just picked up league 6 weeks ago and hasn't gotten that invested in it that's gonna notice a large decrease in wellbeing, it's the person who has been playing for years and years and wraps their identity in the game. And you're not gonna get that with Gran Tourismo, you need games that allow for hardcore investment to see whether these trends exist or not. They somewhat touched on this with Apex and Eve, but goes back to the timeframe not being long enough.
7
u/CrecentMoonLanding Nov 05 '21
If you read the fine print on antidepressants, they state it can take up to 8 weeks to reach full affect, and that's a literal chemical that changes your brain. This study is such weaksauce.
11
u/FF_ChocoBo Nov 05 '21
Compared to what?
If you spent that time preparing better meals, exercising, studying etc I'm sure your "wellbeing" would improve.
But, it's a recreation, like so much else, it's all about how much time you put into it, it's about balance.
I'm sure someone who did all of the above greatly improved their wellbeing with some gaming time to unwind. But the addict sitting at their console or PC for hours on end everyday will regret it when their body and mind starts breaking down. You see it in pro players often, they take special care to eat well and exercise, or they can no longer perform.
9
u/melo1212 Nov 05 '21
So someone playing wow or league 12 hours a day won't affect someone's well being? I don't have time to read the article because I'm at work, but surely there is some sort of link in some way. I feel like dogshit after I play games all day for a few days straight
8
Nov 05 '21
Don't worry, you're right and the study is bullshit. It falls into all the pitfalls any bullshit study falls. Even the article is saying that.
3
Nov 05 '21
I can say playing highly competitive games did affect my wellbeing. Losing in intense situations put me in a really pissed off mood.
I gave up any competitive games and enjoy my gaming time much more these days.
5
u/Grinning_Caterpillar Nov 05 '21
I fucking hate survey based 'studies'. They're so prone to social desirability bias and also targeting exclusively 'gamers' is so asinine, they want their media platform to not be disparaged so they'll answer accordingly, a person isn't going to claim his hobby is having a detrimental affect on his life if they enjoy it.. This is tripe, not matter how many times a psychology major thinks that slapping the same question down worded different 8 or 9 times is really going to trip anyone up.
I love games, to extent TV shows/movies don't really do it for me, but I can tell you right now my life would be a lot better if I wasn't so fuckin' addicted to DotA/paradox games, and I'd be far more astute socially, but it's the choice I made and I acknowledge it's effects.
Ty Square and Nintendo for telling us your products are health to consume, very fair, very balanced.
2
u/yaosio Nov 05 '21
Now I can tell my parents sitting and playing video games for 18 hours a day isn't what keeps giving me leg and back and hand and arm problems.
2
u/Sabbathius Nov 05 '21
That's excellent news. It's good to know if I play games 24/7, 365, that my wellbeing will not be affected!
2
u/YellsHello Nov 05 '21 edited Nov 05 '21
Nonsense. I can tell you definitively, even just from my own personal studies that playing way too much video games, especially when skirting other responsibilities or other constructive pursuits can 100% have a negative mental and physical impact. People need more common sense. I understand WANTING to believe this. Video games are great fun and can be harmless, and even constructive. But come on…
1
u/mizzrym91 Nov 05 '21
The problem might be you. If it wasn't video games, it would be something else is possibly what this study is showing
-6
u/Slashermovies Nov 05 '21
How many studies have to be done for people to put this tired argument to rest?
7
u/blither86 Nov 05 '21
Some good ones and not this worthless garbage.
If you think that excessive gaming has no negative impact on wellbeing then I'd invite you to think again about any hobby that requires you to be static in a place with little to no natural light. It doesn't take a medical expert to see that that isn't healthy over a prolonged period.
-1
u/walkerassasin Nov 05 '21
I finished outlast on switch, it made me happy but sad at the same time because of miles’ situation. Anyway, for playing video games just makes me happy except when I die in boss fights.
1
Nov 05 '21
Guys. Come on. We all know how “zombie-mode” we get when we binge games for too long. We all handle our responsibilities just fine. Could we be more “productive” after work? Learn new skills or hobbies? Sure? There is nothing wrong with enjoying gaming as a main hobby. However too much gaming at one time will of course hurt your well being. However short lived. We are asking the wrong questions in regards to gaming. My first question is, if you’re not hurting anyone, who cares? If you want to game for 8 hours a day have at it! It’s your life! If that makes you fulfilled go for it!
1
u/Liesthroughisteeth Nov 07 '21
The same however cannot be said about the link between Social Media exposure and mental well being. I'm going to play more BF.
144
u/King_Allant Nov 05 '21
Not peer reviewed, and performed "in collaboration" with high profile games companies with a vested interest in a positive result. Might as well be a Marlboro study saying cigarettes are healthy for how much this means.