WA 2: Annotated Bibliography

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WA 2: Annotated Bibliography

Zhao, Y., Soh, K. G., Saad, H. B. A., Rong, W., Liu, C., & Wang, X. (2024). Effects of active video games on mental health among college students: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 3482. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21011-9

Analysis: This article adds a less obvious perspective by creating both the advantages and disadvantages of gaming. It supports my thesis by showing that structured gaming enhances problem-solving skills and mental health. It is also a counterargument because it discusses the risks of over-playing, which I will refute in my paper. With both viewpoints, this research offers a better understanding of Minecraft's impact, confirming moderation is required to reach its maximum potential. The flexibility of the results also shows that Minecraft can make students think and be flexible, a quality to overcome academic and personal challenges. This book is significant in its definition of the two-sided nature of video games to offer both spaces for mental progress and space to waste if used in the wrong way.

"While excessive gaming may have negative effects, structured gameplay contributes to mental well-being and problem-solving skills."

"Interactive video games can enhance emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility among students."

Summary: This article displays the effect of video games on the mental well-being of university students. The authors identify interactive gaming as having a positive effect on emotional regulation and cognitive capacity but warns against excessive playing. The findings confirm the belief that Minecraft can be utilized to positive effect when it comes to the life of students in moderation. The research contributes to the larger discussion of the place of gaming in mental health by advocating for balanced play that encourages problem-solving abilities without leading to addiction. It is a valuable counterargument to so called either thinking video games are either all good or irredeemably bad, which are aimed at the complexity of both learning engines and entertainment.

Riordan, B. C., & Scarf, D. (2016). Crafting minds and communities with Minecraft. F1000Research, 5, 2339. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.9625.2

Analysis: This article confirms my thesis that Minecraft is a huge factor of social and emotional well-being. It enforces the use of Minecraft in communication and collaboration, breaking the myth that video games are antisocial. The study also provides evidence that Minecraft is a facilitator of creativity and problem-solving, advancing its learning potential. Through emphasizing collaborative aspects, this research breaks traditional views that gaming is a solo activity. Instead, it places Minecraft as an environment where students learn interpersonal skills, negotiate challenges together, and form meaningful relationships both in online and real-life contexts. These facts show that Minecraft plays a unique social function, making it a convenient tool for both entertainment and education.

"Unlike many video games, Minecraft encourages players to develop problem-solving and social skills through cooperative gameplay."

"Minecraft fosters community engagement by providing a shared virtual space for creative collaboration."

Summary: In this article, the authors describe how Minecraft builds communities and problem-solving abilities. Through being open ended, Minecraft encourages intellectual development and social interaction, in their opinion. The authors have sufficient evidence to support that video games can make a positive social contribution, disolving the myth that video gaming is solitary. The study findings support the growing embrace of multiplayer gaming as a legitimate way of skill development, especially for students who want interactive and engaging learning.

Nebel, S., Schneider, S., & Rey, G. D. (2016). Mining learning and crafting scientific experiments: A literature review on the use of Minecraft in education and research. Computers in Education, 96, 139–150. https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1232&context=edtech_facpubs

Analysis: This article review brings together diverse research studies on the educational and research influence of Minecraft. This helps to corroborate my thesis that Minecraft is more than a game, it is a worthwhile teaching resource that enhances creativity, engagement, and mental development. The research establishes the way the versatility of Minecraft contributes to its worth in various subjects, establishing its overall contribution to student learning. In addition, the authors note that the advantages of Minecraft are strongest when used in defined settings, which indicates that its positive impact on mental and emotional health can be optimized through deliberate and appropriate use. This also finds support in studies that emphasize that balance and direction in gaming are necessary to realize its psychological benefits fully.

"Studies indicate that Minecraft enhances students’ engagement, problem-solving skills, and creativity when integrated into structured learning experiences."

"Minecraft's open-ended nature provides a flexible learning environment that can be adapted to a wide range of educational objectives."

Summary: This article review looks at how Minecraft has been utilized both in education and research, noting how it pushes students to learn, enhance motivation, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. The authors present evidence indicating how Minecraft's open-ended nature enables an extremely wide range of usage areas in teaching, thus it is useful in formal and informal learning environments. The study also discusses how Minecraft’s benefits depend on structured implementation, reinforcing the idea that intentional use can enhance students’ cognitive and emotional development. By summarizing existing research, this source provides a strong foundation for understanding Minecraft’s impact on education and student well-being.

Wols, A., Pingel, M., Lichtwarck-Aschoff, A., & Granic, I. (2024). Effectiveness of applied and casual games for young people’s mental health. Clinical Psychology Review, 108, 102396.

Analysis: The importance of this article is its provision of scientific evidence for the argument that video games like Minecraft have the capability to improve emotional stability. The section of the research that involves game based mental illness makes the research relevant to my research on the use of Minecraft as a tool for stress relief. It also deals with the responsible gaming message. The study acknowledges that while there are therapeutic advantages to gaming, moderation is the key, offering a perspective on how structured play is beneficial to health without creating dependency or isolation. The authors' emphasis on moderation suggests that Minecraft, if used intentionally, can be an asset for stress reduction and self guidance, and not simply an escape from school or emotional problems.

"When used in moderation, digital games serve as a therapeutic tool, enhancing players' ability to regulate emotions."

"Casual and applied games have been shown to alleviate anxiety and improve emotional resilience among young players."

Summary: The study analyzes the effectiveness of casual games in promoting mental well-being among young people. It poses that video games, if played at moderate intensities, are a means of reducing anxiety and building emotional resilience. The evidence provides a psychological account of the processes by which gaming can potentially have beneficial effects on mental well-being. By showing how games promote emotional management and encouragement through immersion, achievements, and engagement. The research supports the assertion that Minecraft is not just a fun utility but a therapeutic one for mental health as well.

Citation: Anto, A., Basu, A., Selim, R., Foscht, T., & Eisingerich, A. B. (2024). Open-world games’ affordance of cognitive escapism, relaxation, and mental well-being among postgraduate students: Mixed methods study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e63760. https://doi.org/10.2196/63760

Analysis: This study is applicable in that it determines the ways in which Minecraft, as an open-world game, facilitates cognitive reality and emotional well-being. It ties in well with the concept that students utilize Minecraft as a stress-relief and relaxation mechanism. The utilization of a mixed-methods study renders it more robust in its applicability to my study in that it presents both qualitative and quantitative information. However, it says that open-world games offer a genuine sense of agency and predictability, something that can be therapeutic for students who experience stress and anxiety in life. These findings are in support of the argument that Minecraft is not just fun, but that it is actually a coping mechanism for students seeking mental clarity.

"Engagement in digital worlds can reduce real-life stressors by creating a structured yet flexible virtual environment."

"Open-world games afford players cognitive escapism, offering a sense of autonomy and emotional regulation."

Summary: This study examines how open-world games improve mental well-being among postgraduate students. It identifies significant psychological benefits of relaxation, autonomy, and emotional control. The authors point out that virtual worlds like Minecraft allow players to decouple from stressors while being cognitively engaged.