DIGITAL COMBAT
WHAT VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES INFLUENCE FORGIVENESS, SELF-COMPASSION, AND MENTAL WELL-BEING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18316/rcd.v16i41.11453Keywords:
Covid 19, forgiveness, mental well-being, self-compassion, violent digital gameAbstract
With the advent of the pandemic, reliance on screens, the internet, and the digital realm has intensified, impacting individuals in various ways. Initially beyond the comprehension of many, the pandemic soon manifested in a wide range of interests and behaviors. Notably, there has been a surge in social media usage and gaming interests. Violent digital games, which simultaneously excite and relax players, became more popular, eliciting feelings of ease, engagement, and a sense of inner freedom. While this sentiment has positively influenced mental well-being in virtual contexts, it has also had adverse effects on self-compassion and forgiveness. This study aims to investigate the relationship between individuals engaging in violent digital games and their levels of forgiveness, self-compassion, and mental well-being. The study involved a sample of 300 individuals aged 18 to 68 years. The results indicated that no significant connection emerged between the sub-dimension of forgiving others and self-judgment. However, a positive and significant relationship was observed among all other sub-dimensions and scales. The One-Way ANOVA analysis technique revealed differences in forgiveness, self-compassion, and mental well-being levels concerning participation in violent digital games. According to the analysis, individuals who play violent digital games exhibited greater forgiveness towards others and demonstrated enhanced self-compassion and understanding compared to non-players. These results underscore the impact of digital games on forgiveness, self-compassion, and mental well-being, highlighting the need for interventions aimed at promoting mental health and well-being.
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