Video games are often criticized for keeping people glued to screens and isolated from the real world.
Many parents and health experts have worried that spending too much time playing games may increase loneliness and reduce social connections.
However, a new study suggests that this view may not tell the whole story. Some video games may actually help adults feel less lonely and become more emotionally resilient.
The study was published in JMIR Serious Games and examined whether certain kinds of video games were linked to emotional well-being.
The research that adults who played specific types of games reported lower levels of loneliness and higher levels of emotional resilience than people who did not play video games.
The researchers surveyed 2,252 adults aged 21 and older. Participants answered questions about the games they played, their feelings of loneliness, and their emotional outlook on life. The scientists were especially interested in two types of games.
The first type included open-world adventure games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. These games give players large virtual worlds to explore and encourage them to solve problems, complete challenges, and discover new places at their own pace.
The second type included simple and enjoyable games such as Yoshi’s Crafted World. These games are designed to be relaxing, colorful, and easy to enjoy.
The study found that adults who played these kinds of games tended to feel less lonely than people who did not play games. They also scored higher on measures of stoicism. In psychology, stoicism refers to emotional resilience, self-control, and the ability to remain calm when dealing with difficulties.
The researchers believe that different types of games may offer different emotional benefits. Exploration-based games may encourage persistence and problem-solving. Relaxing games may help people unwind and experience positive emotions.
Combining both types of games may create what the researchers described as a balanced “digital diet” that supports emotional well-being.
The findings are important because loneliness has become a major public health concern around the world. Studies have shown that loneliness is associated with a higher risk of depression, anxiety, poor physical health, and even earlier death.
Many adults experience loneliness because of stressful work schedules, living alone, retirement, or reduced social contact.
Video games may offer something that many people need. They provide goals to pursue, challenges to overcome, and opportunities to become absorbed in meaningful activities. Some games also encourage social interaction, cooperation, and sharing experiences with others. Even games played alone can provide a sense of achievement and purpose.
The researchers stress that video games are not a replacement for professional mental health care. People struggling with serious loneliness, depression, or other mental health problems may still need support from healthcare professionals.
However, the findings suggest that carefully chosen games could become affordable and widely available tools that support emotional health.
The study also challenges the idea that gaming is simply passive entertainment. Many games require concentration, planning, persistence, and learning from failure. Players often need to regulate their emotions when they face setbacks and keep trying despite difficulties. These experiences may help people build psychological skills that are useful in everyday life.
This study cannot prove that video games directly caused lower loneliness or greater resilience because it was a cross-sectional survey. It is possible that emotionally resilient people are naturally more likely to enjoy these kinds of games. Nevertheless, the large sample size and the consistent findings make the results intriguing.
The study highlights that the effects of gaming may depend on the type of game being played. Future research will need to examine whether certain games can actively improve emotional well-being over time and whether gaming could become part of broader strategies for supporting mental health.
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