Video gaming might help to replenish energy and aid in recovery from work-related stress, according to new research published in Applied Psychology. The findings suggest that video gaming, particularly when paired with a harmonious passion for the activity, can lead to feelings of recovery and vigor the following morning, challenging the typical negative perceptions associated with this popular leisure activity.
Previous studies have often highlighted the negative consequences of gaming, but an increasing body of evidence suggests it could actually improve mood and aid in unwinding from work stress. In their new study, researchers from Istanbul Medipol University and Eramus University Rotterdam aimed to explore the potential positive outcomes of gaming for employees.
To recruit participants, the researchers disseminated flyers in video game stores across the Netherlands, Germany, and Greece, utilized social networking sites like Facebook, and advertised on platforms related to gaming. Participants were required to be employed and regular players of console-based video games. The final sample comprised 65 respondents, who were mostly male (83%), with an average age of 25.46 years.
The bulk of respondents (73%) worked full-time, averaging 37.15 hours per week, and most had over a year of work experience.
To gather data, the researchers utilized a daily diary method, which is effective for capturing day-to-day variations in individuals’ experiences and behaviors. The participants were asked to complete surveys for twice each day for at least five workdays.
In the evening surveys, participants reported on several key aspects of their post-work activities, including the number of hours spent playing video games after work. Alongside this, the surveys included measures for psychological detachment from work and mastery experiences.
Psychological detachment was assessed through items asking participants if they were able to forget about work and distance themselves from job-related thoughts during their gaming time. Mastery experiences were measured by items probing whether participants felt they learned new things or faced challenges during their off-job activities.
The morning surveys, sent out at the start of each day, were intended to assess the overnight impact of the previous evening’s activities. They included measures of how recovered participants felt upon waking up and their levels of vigor, reflecting both physical and cognitive alertness.
The researchers found that video gaming had a significant positive impact on psychological detachment from work. Participants reported that on the evenings when they engaged in gaming, they were better able to forget about work-related concerns and mentally distance themselves from their job.
Video gaming not only helped with psychological detachment but also promoted mastery experiences. Participants felt that through gaming, they were learning new things and facing challenges that were distinct from their work tasks.
The results also showed that the amount of time spent gaming was positively correlated with the quality of both detachment and mastery experiences. This suggests that more time spent in gaming does not merely pass time but actively enhances the recovery process by intensifying the experiences of detachment and mastery.
Interestingly, the type of passion participants held for gaming—whether harmonious or obsessive—played a role in modulating these effects. Those with a harmonious passion for gaming, where the activity is engaged in freely and enjoyably without compulsion, reported stronger benefits in terms of recovery. This form of passion fosters a healthier engagement with the activity, leading to more effective recovery outcomes.
In contrast, obsessive passion, which is characterized by a compulsive and uncontrollable urge to engage in gaming, did not enhance recovery experiences significantly and, in some aspects, could detract from the potential benefits by leading to excessive gaming behaviors that might interfere with sleep or other daily responsibilities.
“In this study, we have seen that video gaming during off-job hours can be helpful to workers, which contrasts preconceived stereotypes. Gaming provides relief from work-related stress, in particular, through active recovery and development of new cognitive and social resources to combat stress. Video games can be a useful activity to recover from daily work stress.”
But the study has certain limitations that warrant consideration. One notable limitation is its reliance on self-reported data, which can introduce biases such as inaccurate recall or social desirability effects. Additionally, the use of a daily diary method, although beneficial for capturing day-to-day experiences, limits the ability to establish causal relationships.
Future research could address these limitations by incorporating objective measures of gaming activity, such as usage logs or real-time tracking, to reduce reliance on self-report and improve the accuracy of data on gaming behavior. Investigating the specific characteristics of video games that most contribute to recovery, such as game genre, complexity, and social interaction components, could also enhance understanding of the mechanisms at play.
The study, “Recovery from work by playing video games,” was authored by Ömer Erdem Koçak, Marjan Gorgievski, and Arnold B. Bakker.