Preprint: “It’s a good distraction from the mayhem of reality”: An exploratory qualitative study on video gaming during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Social distancing measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic created periods of social isolation and stress for many individuals. In the current study, we offer a glimpse into the lives of video gamers during the pandemic and the role of video games in navigating COVID-19 stressors. Thematic analysis of 13 interviews uncovered three themes that focus on video games, coping, and well-being. For many participants, video games provided what the lockdown took away: permitting the restoration of agency, community, and a sense of purpose. Immersing oneself in video games was a proactive coping mechanism for some but protective for others, suggesting a range of strategies that likely differed in effectiveness. Finally, gamers discussed the tension between viewing gaming as a beneficial and valuable activity versus unproductive time-wasting. Findings are evaluated through the lens of self-determination theory and speak to video gaming as a compensatory activity during times of crisis, which applies to future global health events beyond COVID-19.