Digital Gaming Interventions for Reducing Anxiety in Adolescents

Thesis Abstract

The rising prevalence of anxiety disorders among adolescents presents a critical challenge for mental health practitioners and educators, necessitating innovative, accessible, and scalable interventions that leverage emerging technologies. This study explores the effectiveness of digital gaming interventions in reducing anxiety levels among adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, aiming to identify whether structured gamified therapeutic experiences can serve as viable adjuncts or alternatives to traditional psychological treatments. Specifically, the research seeks to evaluate the impact of a specially designed anxiety management gaming program over a 12-week period, assess its influence on anxiety symptom reduction, and explore the mediating effects of engagement and self-efficacy on therapeutic outcomes. Employing a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design, the study targets a population of 200 adolescents recruited from four secondary schools within the metropolitan region. Participants are randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which interacts with the digital gaming platform, or a control group receiving standard school-based mental health education. Data collection instruments include the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale for quantifying anxiety symptoms, a gaming engagement questionnaire developed for this study, and a self-efficacy scale adapted from Schunk’s theory of self-regulation. These instruments are validated through content validity with expert review and tested for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha, achieving coefficients above 0.80. Quantitative data are analyzed through descriptive statistics, paired and independent samples t-tests to compare anxiety levels within and between groups, and multiple regression analysis to examine predictors of anxiety reduction, particularly engagement and self-efficacy. The study incorporates the use of repeated measures ANOVA to assess interaction effects over time, alongside structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the mediating roles of engagement and self-efficacy based on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory and the Cognitive Behavioral Theory of anxiety. It is anticipated that the digital gaming intervention will produce a statistically significant decrease in anxiety scores compared to the control group, with higher engagement levels correlating positively with symptom reduction. The findings are expected to demonstrate that immersive, gamified experiences enhance adolescents’ self-efficacy in managing anxiety symptoms, aligning with theoretical predictions regarding self-regulation and motivation. This research aims to fill existing gaps in the literature concerning the application of digital games for mental health among adolescents, particularly in non-clinical settings, providing empirical evidence on their efficacy. The study's contribution to knowledge resides in its comprehensive evaluation of a novel, technology-driven intervention tailored to adolescent mental health needs, offering insights into the mechanisms through which digital games influence anxiety reduction. It extends existing frameworks by integrating engagement and self-efficacy as mediators, providing a nuanced understanding of how digital interventions can facilitate psychological resilience. The main conclusion underscores the potential of digital gaming as a complementary tool in adolescent anxiety management, suggesting that such interventions can attain comparable efficacy to traditional methods when designed appropriately. Recommendations include the integration of gamified mental health resources into school-based initiatives, further development of personalized gaming modules based on individual anxiety profiles, and longitudinal studies to assess sustained effects. The study advocates for collaborative efforts between psychologists, game developers, and educators to optimize digital gaming platforms for mental health promotion, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based design and culturally sensitive content to maximize engagement and therapeutic outcomes.