A team at Boston University College of Communication surveyed just under 350 undergraduate and graduate students. They asked about gaming habits, reasons for playing, and how students felt before, during and after gaming.
Many respondents said they use video games to cope with stress. Players reported using both single-player and multiplayer games. Popular genres included turn-based strategy, first-person shooter and role-playing games. The study covered games on computers, consoles like Xbox or PlayStation and handheld devices such as smartphones.
Researchers found links between why people play and how they feel afterward. Players who play for story, social interaction or escapism tended to feel more positive. Those who seek autonomy and exploration saw the biggest drop in negative feelings.
Difficult words
- survey — to ask people questions to collect informationsurveyed
- cope — to deal with difficult feelings or problems
- respondent — a person who answers questions in a studyrespondents
- genre — a type or category of books or gamesgenres
- handheld — a small device held in the hand
- escapism — seeking distraction from real life problems
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you play video games to cope with stress? Why or why not?
- Do you prefer single-player or multiplayer games? Give one reason.
- Which game genre do you like most? Say one reason.
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