A study published in Nature Human Behavior examined the impact of video gaming on mental health in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns about gaming’s effects on mental health have led to stigma and policy debates. The study utilized a natural experiment involving gaming console lotteries and survey data from Japanese adults. Results showed that gaming, particularly on the Nintendo Switch, improved mental health and life satisfaction. However, excessive gaming for more than three hours had negative effects. Various sociodemographic factors influenced the relationship between gaming and mental health. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these effects, especially in post-pandemic contexts.
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Playing video games for a couple of hours a day can improve mental health
