The basic needs in games model of video game play and mental health
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Ballou, Nick
Deterding, Sebastian
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Existing theories of how game use relates to mental health have important limitations: few account for both quantity and quality of use, differentiate components of mental health (hedonic wellbeing, eudaimonic wellbeing and illbeing), provide an explanation for both positive and negative outcomes or readily explain the well-evidenced absence of playtime effects on mental health. Many also lack the specificity to be readily falsifiable. In response, we present the Basic Needs in Games (BANG) model. Grounded in self-determination theory, BANG proposes that mental health outcomes of game use are in large part mediated by the motivational quality of play and the extent to which play quantity and quality lead to need satisfaction or frustration. We show how BANG addresses the limitations of current theories and aligns with emerging evidence on the etiologies of disordered play. Thus, BANG advances HCI theory on the impact of games and other interactive technologies on mental health.
Date Issued
2026-05-01
Date Acceptance
2024-08-20
Citation
Interacting with computers, 2026, 38 (3), pp.469-486
ISSN
0953-5438
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Start Page
469
End Page
486
Journal / Book Title
Interacting with computers
Volume
38
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
©TheAuthor(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Computer Society. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
10.1093/iwc/iwae042
Subjects
ADOLESCENTS
Computer Science
Computer Science, Cybernetics
Engineering
Ergonomics
FRUSTRATION
illbeing
INTERNET GAMING DISORDER
INTRINSIC MOTIVATION
MEDIA
mental health
need frustration
PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
SATISFACTION
Science & Technology
self-determination theory
SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY
Technology
user experience
video games
WELL
wellbeing
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
iwaf031
Date Publish Online
2024-10-10