Computer Gaming can help reduce stress among minority STEM college students.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore ways in which video games and or gaming in general assisted STEM minority students in the reduction of stress. Student stress is generated by course attendance, participation, homework, social life, perceived parental pressure, university applications, and seemingly never-ending workloads. 59% of students play games regularly, 36% play once in a while or sometimes. 70% of college students play video, computer, and or online games at least once in a while, and 65% have been reported to be regular or occasional gamers. This study researches student stress, how students overcome their anxiety by playing games, what type of games they play, what device they play games on, and whether gaming reduces said stress? 95% of minority STEM students agree that video games reduce stress. Smartphones and Xbox consoles are among the student’s top systems for playing video games and action and puzzle games are the top games played by STEM students.