Psychosocial effects of gaming

Item does not contain fulltextVideo games are a common leisure activity enjoyed by millions across the globe. However, with their popularization has come with increased concern that prolonged engagement may have negative psychosocial consequences for its players. To determine whether or not these concerns are based on the scientific literature, this chapter discusses a systematic review of the research that has examined links between psychological outcomes and video game play. The results are mixed, and any negative outcomes found are typically short-lived and mild in nature. In addition, it references a large body of literature on positive psychosocial outcomes, including examples of games used to treat or rehabilitate health conditions. The chapter concludes by suggesting several ways to improve research that reduce bias and allow a better understanding of the complex causal relationships between engaging in games and psychosocial outcomes