• New study shows how playing Dungeons & Dragons can support players’ mental health.
• Escape, creative expression, and social support were identified as key aspects uniquely linked to the immersive and imaginative nature of D&D gameplay.
• These results highlight the transformative potential of D&D in therapeutic contexts.
Playing Dungeons and Dragons may positively support players’ mental health, new study finds.
Led by researchers from University College Cork (UCC), the findings pave the way for clinicians and psychologists to further explore the benefits of play as a therapeutic tool.
Dungeons & Dragons (or D&D) is a tabletop fantasy role-playing game that has become a worldwide phenomenon. Playing Dungeons & Dragons is an inherently social activity, requiring frequent group meetings over a period of months or years, and requiring creativity and collaboration on the part of players.
After the game experienced a resurgence in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study examined the impact of playing D&D on the mental health of regular players. It identified several key aspects that promote good mental health, including escapism, self-exploration, creative expression, helping others, social support, and routine.
The study is published in the International Journal of Role Playing Games.
Feeling in control
Orla Walsh, lead researcher and PhD researcher at UCC’s School of Applied Psychology, said: “Our research found that players discussed the benefits of the escapism that came with playing D&D, and the positive impact it had on their mental health. Players reported feeling a strong sense of control within the game at times when they felt they had no control outside of the game. While many hobbies can allow for creative expression, D&D uniquely allows players to collaboratively build and inhabit worlds of their own creation.”
“The social support fostered by the game of D&D provides players with an emotional and social connection and a space in which to express themselves freely. While social support is a recognized benefit of many group activities, the collaborative storytelling aspect of D&D fosters a unique sense of camaraderie and shared experience among players,” said Orla.
Using role plays in therapy
The study suggests that D&D has significant potential for use in therapeutic settings because players feel more comfortable exploring issues and practicing skills in a space separate from the real world. Study participants reported benefits in daily life from playing the game, including an increased sense of autonomy and personal growth.
These results allow psychology researchers to better understand the mechanisms by which this activity can have a positive impact, while encouraging clinicians who already use D&D groups as supports for social well-being.
Dr Conor Linehan, from UCC’s School of Applied Psychology, said: “This study has revealed that D&D can provide a multitude of benefits to players. While some clinicians and community groups are currently using role-playing games for therapeutic purposes, these groups are primarily active in the United States. Our study suggests that a wider roll-out of such therapeutic role-playing groups could be beneficial in Ireland and around the world, offering great potential to support skill development, emotional exploration, problem-solving and foster meaningful social connections.”
“The results of this study have the potential to help us better understand why D&D has proven successful in therapeutic settings. They provide a foundation for understanding how the game might be used as a tool in the future,” Dr. Linehan said.
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