Gaming Depression: Is It a Cause or Symptom of Mental Health Issues?

Psychologists in Poland have developed the first standardized tool to measure “post-game depression” (P-GD), a phenomenon characterized by feelings of emptiness and sadness experienced after completing emotionally engaging video games. The Post-Game Depression Scale (P-GDS) aims to quantify the intensity of this previously unmeasured psychological state, offering new insights into the mental health implications of gaming.

The research, led by Kamil Janowicz of SWPS University and Piotr Klimczyk from the Stefan Batory Academy of Applied Sciences, was recently published in the journal Current Psychology. The P-GDS was created following observations of widespread discussion on social media regarding players’ negative emotional experiences after finishing immersive games, a gap in formal academic study the researchers sought to address.

The study involved two phases and a total of 373 participants recruited through social media platforms, Reddit, mailing lists, and Discord. Researchers utilized exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to refine the P-GDS into a 17-item scale, categorized into four subscales: Game-related Ruminations, Challenging End of Experience, Necessity of Repeating the Game, and Media Anhedonia.

Findings indicate that players of role-playing games (RPGs) are particularly susceptible to P-GD. According to Dr. Janowicz, “Our research shows that gamers playing role-playing games (RPGs) are most susceptible to post-game depression. It is in these games that players have the greatest influence on character development through their decisions, and build the strongest bonds with their characters. And the more engaging the game world and the closer the relationship with the character, the more difficult it is to return to reality once the game is over.”

However, the Polish research also reveals a complex relationship between pre-existing depressive symptoms and P-GD. The study suggests that post-game depression can be both a consequence of underlying mental health issues and a contributing factor to them, potentially creating a cyclical pattern for vulnerable gamers. Individuals already prone to rumination and intrusive thoughts were found to be more likely to experience P-GD than other players.

the research establishes a link between P-GD and difficulties in managing emotions in daily life. Participants who frequently recalled events negatively were also more likely to report feelings of sadness after finishing a video game. This suggests that the ability to regulate emotions may play a significant role in mitigating the negative emotional impact of game completion.

The development of the P-GDS represents a crucial first step in understanding the psychological effects of video game completion, moving beyond research focused primarily on addiction and aggression. The researchers hope the scale will facilitate further investigation into the prevalence and impact of P-GD, and potentially inform strategies for supporting gamers’ mental wellbeing.