Cork boffins reveal the surprising ways board game Dungeons and Dragons can help your mental health

Mental health can be boosted thanks to playing the roleplay board game Dungeons and Dragons, it is claimed.

Players’ moods and every day outlook is positively supported, according to a new study by University College Cork (UCC) researchers. They claimed “escapism, creative expression, and social support” are all “uniquely linked to the immersive and imaginative nature of D&D gameplay”.

The game, which has featured heavily in TV shows like Stranger Things, could have a “transformative potential in therapeutic settings” said the researchers. A study spokesperson stated: “These findings pave the way for clinicians and psychologists to further explore the benefits of the game as a therapeutic tool.

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“Dungeons and Dragons - or D&D - is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game that has evolved to become a global phenomenon. Playing Dungeons and Dragons is an inherently social activity, requiring frequent group meetings for a period of months or years, and requiring creativity and collaboration from players.

“After the game experienced a surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study investigated the impact of playing D&D on the mental health of frequent players.

“It identified several key aspects that supported positive mental health, including escapism, exploration of self, creative expression, providing for others, social support and routine.” Study participants reported benefits in everyday lives from playing the game, including increased sense of autonomy and personal growth.

The spokesperson added that the study, which has been published in the Journal of Role Playing, indicates that D&D has “significant potential”. He said: “Players felt more comfortable exploring problems and practicing skills in a space that was separate from the real-world.”

PhD study Orla Walsh added: “Players reported feeling a strong sense of control in-game during times when they felt they did not have control outside of the game. “Whilst many hobbies may allow for creative expression, D&D uniquely allows players to collaboratively build and inhabit worlds of their creation.

“The social support nurtured by playing D&D gives players emotional and social connection and offers them a space in which they can express themselves freely. While social support is a recognised benefit of many group activities, the collaborative storytelling aspect of D&D fosters a unique sense of camaraderie and shared experience among players.”

Dr Conor Linehan of UCC’s School of Applied Psychology said: “Therapeutic role-playing groups may be of benefit in Ireland.” He added: “The findings of this study have the potential to enhance our understanding of why D&D has proven successful in therapeutic settings.

“It provides a foundation for understanding how the game might be used as a tool in the future.” The study Roll for Insight: Understanding How the Experience of Playing Dungeons & Dragons Impacts the Mental Health of an Average Player is published in the international Journal of Role.

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