Gaming as a Stress Relief for Mothers: Navigating Guilt and Game Design
In the realm of leisure activities, video gaming has emerged as a popular pastime for many Australians, with a staggering 74% of households owning at least two gaming devices. However, the gaming landscape for parents, particularly mothers, is often overshadowed by the traditional role of mediating their children's gameplay. Our research delves into the gaming experiences of parents who engage in gaming independently, shedding light on the often-overlooked benefits and challenges they face.
The Duality of Parenting and Leisure
Parenting, a demanding and multifaceted role, encompasses significant emotional, mental, and physical labor. In Australia, mothers bear the brunt of unpaid domestic work and shoulder a heavier parental load compared to fathers. This burden, coupled with paid work and domestic responsibilities, can lead to heightened stress and exhaustion. Our study, conducted through a survey of 38 mothers who identify as gamers, aimed to explore how gaming can serve as a stress recovery mechanism for these busy caregivers.
Gaming as a Stress Recovery Tool
The survey revealed that gaming significantly contributed to stress reduction across three key dimensions: psychological detachment, relaxation, and mastery. Solo gameplay, favored by 65% of mothers, played a pivotal role in detachment from caregiving roles, with 71% reporting improved mental health. One participant eloquently expressed this sentiment: "I play a lot of games with my children and online, but most often I prefer to play alone to recharge my social battery."
Relaxation was found to be a versatile benefit, with a diverse range of game genres, including action-adventure, role-playing, and simulation games, contributing to a sense of calm. Popular titles such as Pokemon, Minecraft, Mario Kart, Fallout 4, and Assassins Creed were frequently cited by mothers as their go-to choices for unwinding. As one participant shared, "Gaming is my main relaxation and stress relief and the thing I enjoy above all other activities."
Mastery of new skills was another significant advantage of gaming. Mothers cited challenge and achievement as their primary motivations, with complex narratives and boss fights fostering competence, problem-solving, and resilience. Interestingly, contrary to stereotypes, mothers preferred immersive and challenging games, as one participant noted: "I prefer games that are immersive and not linear […] where I can engage with different aspects, like storylines, side quests, building, and exploration."
The Constraints of Parental Responsibilities
Despite the positive impact of gaming on stress recovery, the "control" dimension presented some limitations. Parental responsibilities, including time constraints and the presence of children, influenced gameplay practices. One participant's experience highlights this challenge: "I only game when my son goes to sleep at night. I don't game with him around as I focus on parenting."
Gamer guilt also emerged as a significant barrier. Mothers felt the need to justify their gaming while balancing family obligations, often feeling guilty about taking time for themselves. As one mother explained, "I feel guilty playing games, there is always something more important that needs to be done, for example, time with the child, time with the spouse, organizing social and family events, childcare, and family finances."
Game Design and Accessibility
Restrictive game design elements further complicated matters. Long player sessions and uninterruptible play made certain games incompatible with the demands of parenting. One participant emphasized the need for games that are "pausable and savable at any point."
Redefining Gaming for Mothers
Our findings underscore the potential of gaming as a legitimate and effective stress recovery tool for mothers. However, societal expectations of motherhood can perpetuate the notion of gaming as a guilty pleasure, rather than a valid form of self-care. Moreover, restrictive game design features may inadvertently exclude mothers from accessing stress-relieving games and genres.
To address these challenges, a shift in perspective is necessary. Mothers should be viewed as autonomous players rather than solely as caregivers or co-players. Game developers can play a pivotal role by designing games that offer more flexibility and control, making gaming more accessible to mothers. By embracing gaming as a resource for recovery and relaxation, mothers can reclaim their leisure time and enhance their overall well-being.
