Psychiatrists' Perceptions of Role-Playing Games

Psychiatr Q. 2015 Sep;86(3):381-4. doi: 10.1007/s11126-015-9339-5.

Abstract

The literature has seen a surge in research on the mental health impacts of technologies such as Facebook, video games, and massively-multiplayer online role-playing games such as World of Warcraft, but little is known regarding the mental health impact of non-video role-playing games, such as Dungeons & Dragons. The present study examines how psychiatrists' perceive role-playing games and whether they play them. Psychiatrists at a tertiary care centre in Canada completed a questionnaire assessing history of playing role-playing games and whether they associate them with psychopathology. Forty-eight psychiatrists responded. Twenty-three percent have played a role-playing game over their lifetimes. Twenty-two percent believed there was an association between psychopathology and role-playing games. A majority of psychiatrists who responded do not associate role-playing games with psychopathology. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatry*
  • Role Playing*
  • Video Games / psychology*