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Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research

Date Submitted: Jun 28, 2024
Date Accepted: Nov 8, 2024

The final, peer-reviewed published version of this preprint can be found here:

Open-World Games’ Affordance of Cognitive Escapism, Relaxation, and Mental Well-Being Among Postgraduate Students: Mixed Methods Study

Anto A, Basu A, Selim R, Foscht T, Eisingerich AB

Open-World Games’ Affordance of Cognitive Escapism, Relaxation, and Mental Well-Being Among Postgraduate Students: Mixed Methods Study

J Med Internet Res 2024;26:e63760

DOI: 10.2196/63760

PMID: 39689301

PMCID: 11688598

Open-World Games’ Affordance of Cognitive Escapism, Relaxation and Mental Well-Being Among Postgraduate Students: A Mixed-Method Approach

  • Ailin Anto; 
  • Arunima Basu; 
  • Rania Selim; 
  • Thomas Foscht; 
  • Andreas Benedikt Eisingerich

ABSTRACT

Background:

Open-world games, characterised by their expansive and interactive environments, may offer unique cognitive escapism opportunities, potentially leading to relaxation and enhanced well-being. These games, such as "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" and "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” allow players to experience a sense of freedom and autonomy, which can reduce stress and improve mental health. While previous research has examined the general impact of video games on mental well-being, specific studies on the effects of open-world games among postgraduate students are limited.

Objective:

The current study investigates the relationships between cognitive escapism provided by open-world games and their effects on relaxation and well-being. The goal is to understand how the immersive nature of these games contributes to stress reduction and overall mental health improvement for postgraduate students.

Methods:

A mixed-methods approach was employed that involved in-depth, exploratory qualitative interviews and a survey of 609 players of popular open-world games. Quantitative data were collected using standardised questionnaires to measure open-world games’ affordance of cognitive escapism, relaxation, and well-being. Qualitative data were obtained through 32 in-depth interviews that explored players' experiences and perceptions of cognitive escapism, relaxation and mental well-being.

Results:

Qualitative data revealed that cognitive escapism through immersive game worlds allowed players to temporarily disconnect from real-world stressors, resulting in enhanced mood and psychological well-being. Quantitative analysis showed a significant increase in relaxation and well-being scores due to open-world games’ offering of cognitive escapism. Players indicated that the non-linear gameplay and freedom to explore interactive environments provided a sense of relaxation and mental rejuvenation.

Conclusions:

The study demonstrates that open-world games offer substantial benefits for cognitive escapism, significantly improving relaxation and well-being for postgraduate students. The immersive and autonomous nature of these games is crucial in reducing stress and enhancing mental health. Future research may investigate the long-term effects of regular engagement with open-world games and explore their potential therapeutic applications for managing stress and anxiety. Clinical Trial: N/A


 Citation

Please cite as:

Anto A, Basu A, Selim R, Foscht T, Eisingerich AB

Open-World Games’ Affordance of Cognitive Escapism, Relaxation, and Mental Well-Being Among Postgraduate Students: Mixed Methods Study

J Med Internet Res 2024;26:e63760

DOI: 10.2196/63760

PMID: 39689301

PMCID: 11688598

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