‘Crushing The Stress’: An Experimental Study on the Positive Impact of Casual Video Games in Indian Context

Abstract

Research on Casual Video Gaming in the Indian context are focused on exploring the negative ramifications of gameplay such as addiction and sedentary lifestyle effects. With the rise of video game interventions and increased use of casual games for cognitive training and stress relief in applied settings, there is a need to analyze the positive ramifications of casual video games in India. In this research study, two positive benefits of casual games are looked at: stress relief and cognitive benefits. The research is a repeated measures experimental design study that aims to examine these positive effects in contrast to an assigned control task. 30 participants, between the ages of 18-28 years act as their own controls. The study analyzes the impact of popular American casual game, Bejeweled Classic on stress; measured through blood pressure, heart-rate and state anxiety; and reaction time through the Stroop Task. The data was analyzed using a paired sample t-test. Results did not support the first hypothesis that casual video games reduce stress. The second benefit, however, that of cognitive benefits of casual games, was found to be statistically significant by a p value of
0.01. The study is useful in contributing to the literature of Indian studies that examine positive ramifications of casual games.