Dungeons & Dragons study rolls for better well-being
Rolling dice and battling imaginary monsters might seem an unlikely source of well-being, but Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) research suggests Dungeons & Dragons groups can provide meaningful social connections and a strong sense of belonging.
A study from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) reveals that Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) groups may offer substantial social connections and a strong sense of belonging, providing valuable mental well-being. Doctoral student Courtney Matthews conducted a research on tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) and found that D&D groups were consistently rated as the most positive and supportive in participants' social networks, even though they spent less time together compared to family or friends.
The research, published in the Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, suggests that D&D groups could be a cost-effective, widely accessible activity that addresses loneliness and improves social connections. Matthews notes that 17% of participants identified as transgender or gender-diverse, indicating that D&D may be particularly appealing to hard-to-reach communities.
The study recommends further exploration of the potential of TTRPGs in community settings, such as local libraries and secondary schools.
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