Paper Info
Title
The Role of Gaming During Difficult Life Experiences.
Abstract
HCI has become increasingly interested in the use of technology during difficult life experiences. Yet despite considerable popularity, little is known about how and why people engage with games in times of personal difficulty. Based on a qualitative analysis of an online survey (N=95), our findings indicate that games offered players much needed respite from stress, supported them in dealing with their feelings, facilitated social connections, stimulated personal change and growth, and provided a lifeline in times of existential doubt. However, despite an emphasis on gaming as being able to support coping in ways other activities did not, participants also referred to games as unproductive and as an obstacle to living well. We discuss these findings in relation to both coping process and outcome, while considering tensions around the potential benefits and perceived value of gaming.
Year
DOI
Venue
2019
10.1145/3290605.3300453
CHI
Keywords
Field
DocType
difficult life experiences, games, sensitive life experiences
Social psychology,Obstacle,Existentialism,Computer science,Coping (psychology),Popularity,Human–computer interaction,Respite care,Feeling
Conference
ISBN
Citations 
PageRank 
978-1-4503-5970-2
0
0.34
References 
Authors
0
2
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Ioanna Iacovides19211.35
Elisa D. Mekler226926.96