A new study conducted by
University College London reveals that video games are one of the most popular
ways for men to cope with stress. The hobby has been maligned in the mainstream
media with undue and unwarranted coverage of 'GamerGate', with much of the
gaming media themselves promoting the narrative that the players themselves are
holding back the medium with allegations of misogyny and sexism. But this new
study aims to demonstrate how men and women show significant differences in
therapy, coping behavior and help-seeking. It notes that men in general are
less inclined than women to seek help for their psychological needs.
It indicates that a significant
percentage of male participants (29%) listed video games as a main coping
strategy, with women trailing behind slightly at 18%. In contrast, more than
half (52%) of female participants listed prescription pills to deal with hard
times, with only 27% of men listing it as a coping method. Both genders rate
“talking with friends” as their primary way to cope. The research serves as a
strong rebuke to those who claim that video games carry no social purpose,
especially for men and a significant percentage of women, many of whom play
online video games for both social interaction and relaxation.
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