The Psychological Impacts of Esports Gaming: A Detriment or a Lifeline in Disguise?

This paper, the first-prize winner in the Health and Wellness category of the APRU Student Esports Paper Competition 2021, examines whether competitive video gaming poses psychological risks to players or offers meaningful benefits. It frames eSports as a multibillion-dollar industry that drew an audience of 453 million in 2019 and grew further during the COVID-19 pandemic, while arguing that its mental demands are comparable to those faced by traditional athletes. The author draws on prior studies, including a University of Chichester study identifying 51 stress factors among eSports athletes, to show that players face burnout, depression, anxiety, addiction, and aggression, often linked to performance pressure, harassment, team communication problems, and the blurring of gaming and personal life.

The paper also presents a counterpoint, reporting research that gaming can strengthen memory, concentration, information processing, and problem-solving, and that eSports communities can reduce social isolation and foster supportive relationships. Its central position is that gaming is not inherently harmful, but its risks become significant without proper coping strategies and support.

Methodologically, the paper is a literature-based review rather than an original empirical study, relying on published research and secondary sources to synthesize findings. The evidence base is acknowledged as limited, with the author noting that little research has identified specific eSports stressors or effective coping strategies.

The paper concludes that psychological training, personalized coping measures, and attentive coaching and administration are needed to protect player wellbeing. It calls for further research into the specific mental stressors faced by players and into techniques that prepare them for elite competition.