The Effects of Playing Video Games on Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Loneliness, and Gaming Disorder During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic: PRISMA Systematic Review

Abstract

During the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, playing video games has been much more than just a pastime. Studies suggested that video games for many individuals have helped to cope with such difficult life experience. However, other research indicates that gaming may have had harmful effects. Within this context, this systematic review aimed to describe the literature on the effects of video games during the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis on stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and gaming disorder (GD), examining the study characteristics and outcomes. A systematic search of the literature was made following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. It was preregistered in the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (INPLASY)-INPLASY202180053. The search databases were PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Medline. The search string was: [(''video game*'') OR (''computer game*'') OR (''gaming'')] AND ]. Twentyfour studies met the inclusion criteria. Four research explored the effects of playing video games during the COVID-19 pandemic on stress, anxiety, and depression. Four studies investigated loneliness, while 18 research investigated game disorder. Video games, especially augmented reality and online multiplayer ones, mitigated stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness among adolescents and young adults during stayat-home restrictions. However, in the case of at-risk individuals (i.e., particularly male youths), playing video games had detrimental effects.

nternet gaming disorder, loneliness, and insomnia among Indians during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Fernandes et al (2020) reported that gaming addiction among adolescents was associated with both loneliness and poor sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, other studies have reported gaming addiction to be associated with increased levels of loneliness and insomnia during the pandemic (Pallavicini et al, 2022;Zaman et al, 2022). The gaming industry saw three times more user engagement and 30% higher traffic in online mobile gaming at the start of the pandemic (Amin et al, 2022).…”

Distance Learning in Pandemic Age: Lessons from a (No Longer) Emergency

“…A learning community could be a safe environment where they might experiment with teaching with other faculty members or students. For instance, according to some authors [ 62 , 63 ], it is possible for students to engage in “pedagogy of discomfort” in learning communities. The pedagogy of discomfort is a process of self-examination that requires students to critically engage with their ideological traditions and ways of thinking about issues such as racism, oppression, and social injustice.…”

What Constitutes ‘Gaming’ in the Gaming Disorder?: Observations and Recommendations

“…However, in the case of at-risk individuals (especially male youth), playing video games had detrimental effects such as stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and GD symptoms. 15 …”