Causal effect of video gaming on mental well-being in Japan 2020-2022

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4615840
AutoresHiroyuki Egami (0000-0002-5873-8994, Nihon University, autor correspondente), Shafiur Rahman (0000-0003-1911-6807, Kanazawa University), Tsuyoshi Yamamoto (0009-0004-8772-6337, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies), Chihiro Egami (0009-0000-5595-8142), Takahisa Wakabayashi (0000-0003-4157-2112, Takasaki City University of Economics)
Ano2024
Volume8
Fascículo10
Páginas1943-1956
Data de publicação2024-08-19
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoNature Human Behaviour (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2397-3374 • E-ISSN: 2397-3374
EditoraSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1038/s41562-024-01948-y
PMID39160286
OpenAlexW4401694598
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas5
Referências citadas78

The widespread use of video games has raised concerns about their potential negative impact on mental well-being. Nevertheless, the empirical evidence supporting this notion is largely based on correlational studies, warranting further investigation into the causal relationship. Here we identify the causal effect of video gaming on mental well-being in Japan (2020-2022) using game console lotteries as a natural experiment. Employing approaches designed for causal inference on survey data (n = 97,602), we found that game console ownership, along with increased game play, improved mental well-being. The console ownership reduced psychological distress and improved life satisfaction by 0.1-0.6 standard deviations. Furthermore, a causal forest machine learning algorithm revealed divergent impacts between different types of console, with one showing smaller benefits for adolescents and females while the other showed larger benefits for adolescents. These findings highlight the complex impact of digital media on mental well-being and the importance of considering differential screen time effects

Mental Health Research Topics · Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology