Playing Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) can positively impact players’ mental health, a new study from University College Cork (UCC) has found. The findings suggest that clinicians and psychologists could explore the game’s therapeutic potential.
Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game that has become a global phenomenon. It involves regular group meetings over months or years, requiring creativity and collaboration from players. The game gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting researchers to investigate its effects on frequent players’ mental health.
The study identified several aspects of D&D that support positive mental health, including escapism, self-exploration, creative expression, social support, and routine.
Orla Walsh, the study lead and a PhD researcher at the UCC School of Applied Psychology, highlighted the benefits reported by players. “Our research found that players discussed the benefits of escapism and the positive impact on their mental health,” Walsh said. “Players felt a strong sense of control in-game, especially during times when they lacked control outside the game.”
Walsh noted that while many hobbies allow for creative expression, D&D uniquely lets players collaboratively build and inhabit their own worlds. The social support fostered by playing D&D provides emotional and social connections, offering a space for free expression. The game’s collaborative storytelling aspect creates a unique camaraderie and shared experience among players.
The study suggests that D&D could be used in therapeutic settings. Players felt more comfortable exploring problems and practicing skills in a separate space from the real world. Participants reported benefits in their everyday lives, including increased autonomy and personal growth.
Dr. Conor Linehan from the UCC School of Applied Psychology emphasized the study’s implications. “This study found that D&D brings many benefits for players. While some clinicians and community groups in the United States use role-playing games therapeutically, our study suggests that wider implementation of such groups could be beneficial in Ireland and globally.”
Linehan added that the findings enhance understanding of why D&D is successful in therapeutic settings and provide a foundation for its future use as a therapeutic tool.
