Farmer, G., Higson-Sweeney, N. and Fullwood, C. 2025. "It's a good distraction from the mayhem of reality": A reflexive thematic analysis on the role of video games to support coping during a crisis. Frontiers in Digital Health. 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1608322
| Title | "It's a good distraction from the mayhem of reality": A reflexive thematic analysis on the role of video games to support coping during a crisis |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal article |
| Authors | Farmer, G., Higson-Sweeney, N. and Fullwood, C. |
| Abstract | Video games have been shown to offer psychological benefits to gamers during times of stress. One recent, salient example of a stress-inducing event was the COVID-19 pandemic, which created periods of social isolation and uncertainty on a global scale. The current study offers a glimpse into the lives of video gamers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of video games in navigating day-to-day stresses during a crisis. Reflexive thematic analysis of 13 interviews generated 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. The use of video games to deal with the day-to-day stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic illustrates teachable moments that speak to video gaming as a compensatory activity during times of crisis, which applies to future global health events beyond COVID-19. |
| Keywords | Video Gaming |
| Coping | |
| Psychological Well-being | |
| Stress | |
| Crisis | |
| Journal | Frontiers in Digital Health |
| Journal citation | 7 |
| ISSN | 2673-253X |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | Frontiers |
| Publisher's version | File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1608322 |
| Web address (URL) | https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1608322/abstract |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 18 Aug 2025 |