Video Games and Mental Health: Perspectives of Psychology and Game Design
Bielefeld: transcript Verlag (2026), 228 pp.
Series: Bild und Bit. Studien zur digitalen Medienkultur, 18
ISBN 978-3-8376-6856-8 (print); 978-3-8394-6856-2 (pdf)
"How do video games and mental health intersect from the perspectives of psychology and game design? In recent years, the topic of mental health has gained tremendous importance for the games industry, affecting both the applied and entertainment games sectors. The former draws from established practices in diagnostics, digital medicine, therapy, and self-help to develop innovative and accessible tools; the latter follows in the tradition of games d'auteur, addressing the topic of mental health from a personal perspective. The contributors to this volume inspect current trends and future perspectives related to these phenomena to inform the work of psychologists and game designers." (Publisher description)
Video Games and Mental Health: Introduction / Federico Alvarez Igarzábal, Chad Comeau, Emmanuel Guardiola, Carmen Johann and Katharina Tillmanns, 7
POSITIVE IMPACT
“Take Eight Bits and Call Me in the Morning”: Video Games, Well-Being, and the Psychology of Nostalgia Nicholas D. Bowman, Tim Wulf, Jordan King and Sarah Hodge, 15
When Gamers Save Lives: Qualitative Research on Gaming Communities, Peer Support and Mental Health / Maude Bonenfant, Élisa Vial and Clara Lhotellier, 33
On the Potential of Digital Games to Promote Healthy and Pro-Environmental Behavior / Marco Rüth, 55
A Psycho-Sociology of Virtualization: Understanding Hikikomori with Video Games / Richy Srirachanikorn, 81
REPRESENTATION
Good Grief: What Video Games Teach Us About Loss / Kelli Dunlap and Christopher Leech, 97
The Strong Female Protagonist: Stereotype Activation in Character Design and Its Psychological Impact / Danielle Kelly and Bethany Thomas, 115
Through the Empty Bottles: YouTube Comments as a Reaction Towards Depictions of Alcoholism in PSYCHONAUTS 2 / Tero Kerttula, 133
The Sanity Metre: Madness as a Manageable Resource / Stefan Heinrich Simond, 151
DESIGN PERSPECTIVES
Lie in My Heart: Designing an Autobiographical Expressive Game Exploring Suicide and Resilience / Sébastien Genvo, 173
Colorful Depression: How to Create a Bright Game about a Dark Topic / Kerstin Schütt, 189
Something Beautiful is Going to Happen: Disco Elysium and the Depiction of Mental Health Struggles in Gaming / Samantha Accettulli, 201
POSITIVE IMPACT
“Take Eight Bits and Call Me in the Morning”: Video Games, Well-Being, and the Psychology of Nostalgia Nicholas D. Bowman, Tim Wulf, Jordan King and Sarah Hodge, 15
When Gamers Save Lives: Qualitative Research on Gaming Communities, Peer Support and Mental Health / Maude Bonenfant, Élisa Vial and Clara Lhotellier, 33
On the Potential of Digital Games to Promote Healthy and Pro-Environmental Behavior / Marco Rüth, 55
A Psycho-Sociology of Virtualization: Understanding Hikikomori with Video Games / Richy Srirachanikorn, 81
REPRESENTATION
Good Grief: What Video Games Teach Us About Loss / Kelli Dunlap and Christopher Leech, 97
The Strong Female Protagonist: Stereotype Activation in Character Design and Its Psychological Impact / Danielle Kelly and Bethany Thomas, 115
Through the Empty Bottles: YouTube Comments as a Reaction Towards Depictions of Alcoholism in PSYCHONAUTS 2 / Tero Kerttula, 133
The Sanity Metre: Madness as a Manageable Resource / Stefan Heinrich Simond, 151
DESIGN PERSPECTIVES
Lie in My Heart: Designing an Autobiographical Expressive Game Exploring Suicide and Resilience / Sébastien Genvo, 173
Colorful Depression: How to Create a Bright Game about a Dark Topic / Kerstin Schütt, 189
Something Beautiful is Going to Happen: Disco Elysium and the Depiction of Mental Health Struggles in Gaming / Samantha Accettulli, 201
