A study by Japanese scientists from Ritsumeikan University and other research institutions has shown that video games can be beneficial for mental health under the right conditions. The results of the study were published in the scientific journal Nature Human Behavior (NHB).

The study surveyed more than 97,600 Japanese residents aged 10 to 69. The survey was conducted among participants in lotteries for game consoles organized during the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand for game consoles increased sharply.

Scientists found that people who played video games felt more satisfied with life compared to those who did not play. Owning a game console helped reduce psychological stress and increase life satisfaction by 0.1-0.6 standard deviations.

However, the study also showed that there is a limit to the beneficial effects of video games. People who played more than three hours a day did not receive additional benefits compared to those who played exactly three hours.