GAMIFICATION AND TRANSFORMATIONAL GAMES AS A RESOURCE FOR STUDENTS' PERSONAL WELL-BEING

The article examines digital gamification and transformational games as psychological and educational tools for enhancing university students’ personal well-being. Based on a synthesis of contemporary empirical studies and theoretical approaches, the paper demonstrates that well-designed gamified environments increase academic motivation, foster emotional engagement, and strengthen resilience without creating excessive cognitive load. Transformational games provide a symbolic and emotionally rich space for self-reflection, development of emotional intelligence, and rethinking of personal values, supporting autonomy, a sense of belonging, and inner control. Practical implications for higher education are discussed, highlighting the need for careful calibration of cognitive demands, immediate feedback, and an ethical design that protects participants’ psychological safety while promoting sustainable personal growth