Research
Examining the impact of fantastic elements in a cognitive-behavioral therapy game for depression and anxiety on affect and engagement
With COVID and the isolation of social distancing, the mental health epidemic in the U.S. has only gotten worse. Effective alternatives to in-person therapy have become necessary. Video games are a favored format for accessibility and engagement and may be a solution to this problem. CBT as a technique can learned and employed by the patient, thus, by delivering CBT-style therapy in a virtual and engaging video game format, CBT-style skills can become a self-help tool for patients. Two game prototypes were created to test which more effectively engaged players: one fantastic version with a dragon therapist, and one real-world version with a human therapist.
It is important to compare both versions together, as the end goal of my research is to take the version that most effectively delivers CBT skills and build the best therapy and training for self-help.
