The Positive Effect of Video-Game Play on College Students’ Anxiety and Depression Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic Shelter-in-Place Lockdowns: Mixed Methods Study

The buffer effects of video games may be strongest among routine players with moderate to low anxiety and depression symptoms, while excessive gaming, as shown in the overall amount of game time as well as the prelockdown-to-lockdown period increase in game time, may have detrimental consequences among those struggling with high anxiety and depression. Social play was an effective mechanism in mitigating anxiety and depressive tendencies. Future research should address game content and modality as well as the long-term impacts of video game engagement during crises.