Feeling Empty After Finishing a Game? Researchers Explore 'Post-Game Depression'
Completing an engaging video game often leaves behind not only a sense of satisfaction but also an unexpected emptiness or sadness. This phenomenon, which Polish scientists now refer to as 'post-game depression,' is becoming a subject of serious study.
Psychologists from SWPS University and the Stefan Batory Academy of Applied Sciences published the results of their research in the journal Current Psychology. They emphasize that 'post-game depression' is not a clinical diagnosis but describes a complex of intense emotional experiences that arise after finishing a long and deep game. To measure this state, the world's first tool, the 'Post-Game Depression Scale' (P-GDS), was developed.
The study involved 373 players, whose data analysis revealed four key aspects of this condition: intrusive thoughts about the game, difficulty accepting its ending, a strong desire to immediately restart the playthrough, and a decrease in interest in other forms of media. It was noted that fans of role-playing games (RPGs) are most at risk of developing these feelings, as they become more deeply attached to game characters and fully immerse themselves in virtual worlds.
Researchers draw parallels between this state and a kind of mourning for the completion of an important life stage or the loss of significant relationships. Video games, therefore, go beyond simple entertainment, becoming a powerful source of deep emotional experiences.
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