Massively Multiplayer Online Games and Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review

Lisa Raith; Julie Bignill; Vasileios Stavropoulos; Prudence Millear; Andrew Allen; Helen M Stallman; Jonathan Mason; Tamara De Regt; Andrew Wood; Lee Kannis-Dymand

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.698799

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Massively Multiplayer Online Games and Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Massively Multiplayer Online Games and Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review

Lisa Raith, Julie Bignill, Vasileios Stavropoulos, Prudence Millear, Andrew Allen, Helen M Stallman, Jonathan Mason, Tamara De Regt, Andrew Wood and Lee Kannis-Dymand

Frontiers in Psychology, Vol.12, pp.1-13

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.698799

PMCID: PMC8277937

PMID: 34276523

Appears in Thompson Institute Research Collection

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Abstract

Psychology

MMOs

well-being

PRISMA

internet gaming

systematic literature review

massively multiplayer online

General mental health and psychology

Thompson Institute Special Collection

Background: Massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) evolve online, whilst engaging large numbers of participants who play concurrently. Their online socialization component is a primary reason for their high popularity. Interestingly, the adverse effects of MMOs have attracted significant attention compared to their potential benefits. Methods: To address this deficit, employing PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review aimed to summarize empirical evidence regarding a range of interpersonal and intrapersonal MMO well-being outcomes for those older than 13. Results: Three databases identified 18 relevant English language studies, 13 quantitative, 4 qualitative and 1 mixed method published between January 2012 and August 2020. A narrative synthesis methodology was employed, whilst validated tools appraised risk of bias and study quality. Conclusions: A significant positive relationship between playing MMOs and social well-being was concluded, irrespective of one's age and/or their casual or immersed gaming patterns. This finding should be considered in the light of the limited: (a) game platforms investigated; (b) well-being constructs identified; and (c) research quality (i.e., modest). Nonetheless, conclusions are of relevance for game developers and health professionals, who should be cognizant of the significant MMOs-well-being association(s). Future research should focus on broadening the well-being constructs investigated, whilst enhancing the applied methodologies.

Details

Title: Massively Multiplayer Online Games and Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Lisa Raith (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Julie Bignill (Author) - School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast
Vasileios Stavropoulos (Author) - Victoria University
Prudence Millear (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Andrew Allen (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Helen M Stallman (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson Institute
Jonathan Mason (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Tamara De Regt (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Andrew Wood (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Lee Kannis-Dymand (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Publication details: Frontiers in Psychology, Vol.12, pp.1-13
Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.698799
ISSN: 1664-1078
PMID: 34276523; PMC8277937
Copyright note: Copyright © 2021 Raith, Bignill, Stavropoulos, Millear, Allen, Stallman, Mason, De Regt, Wood and Kannis-Dymand. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Thompson Institute; Engage Research Lab; School of Health - Psychology; School of Law and Society; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99553608702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychology, Multidisciplinary

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