Yongjie Yue, Qiaolei Jiang, Dong Liu, Peixuan Cui, Junming Yi
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: Despite increasing research on blind and visually impaired (BVI) gamers, little is known about their motivations, gaming time, and the social benefits of online games. This study investigated gaming motivation and gaming time of BVI players, as well as their associations with well-being, using a popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) as an example. It also examined the relationships between different types of visual impairments, gaming motivation, time, and well-being.
Methods: Based on a review of existing literature on the potential effects of online games on people with BVI, this study used a mixed-methods approach. Semi-structured interviews with 21 participants were conducted to gather in-depth qualitative insights. Questionnaires were administered to a total sample of 209 participants, both online and offline, to collect quantitative data.
Results: A motivation scale specific to BVI gamers in MMORPG was developed and validated. Six motivations were identified and verified: fun, relationship initiation, relationship maintenance, venting emotions, killing time, and achievement. Fun and killing time positively predicted well-being, whereas venting emotions and relationship maintenance negatively predicted well-being. Total gaming time was positively associated with self-esteem. Totally blind and those with acquired impairments tend to spend more time on gaming, highlighting interesting nuances in gaming behaviors within the BVI community.
Conclusions: This study provides insight into the relationship between online gaming and well-being of BVI individuals. These findings underscore the importance of further research and the development of inclusive gaming environments that enhance the well-being of BVI players.
期刊介绍:
Games for Health Journal is the first peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing the impact of game research, technologies, and applications on human health and well-being. This ground-breaking publication delivers original research that directly impacts this emerging, widely-recognized, and increasingly adopted area of healthcare. Games are rapidly becoming an important tool for improving health behaviors ranging from healthy lifestyle habits and behavior modification, to self-management of illness and chronic conditions to motivating and supporting physical activity. Games are also increasingly used to train healthcare professionals in methods for diagnosis, medical procedures, patient monitoring, as well as for responding to epidemics and natural disasters. Games for Health Journal is a must for anyone interested in the research and design of health games that integrate well-tested, evidence-based behavioral health strategies to help improve health behaviors and to support the delivery of care. Games for Health Journal coverage includes: -Nutrition, weight management, obesity -Disease prevention, self-management, and adherence -Cognitive, mental, emotional, and behavioral health -Games in home-to-clinic telehealth systems