Are Virtual Worlds the Key to Alleviating Male Loneliness?

As more men confront feelings of loneliness and despair, a recent study from a Texas A&M University researcher indicates that some are discovering essential support and camaraderie within the realm of online gaming.

Dr. Tyler Prochnow, an assistant professor in the Texas A&M School of Public Health, notes that a significant aspect of the nation’s ongoing loneliness crisis stems from the loss of “third places” — locations outside of home, school, and work where individuals can gather and connect. These places typically include establishments such as cafes and diners, as well as churches, libraries, and community centers, all of which have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey data indicates that widespread experiences of social isolation actually preceded the pandemic, with 50% of U.S. adults reporting varying degrees of loneliness prior to 2020. As other researchers have noted, men often experience the harshest effects of this increasing absence of social connections, as persistent stigma often deters many from seeking assistance for feelings of loneliness and depression.

“Over the past 20 years, studies have demonstrated that men’s close friendships have been declining — both in terms of the number of friends and the quality of those relationships,” Prochnow explained. “Through online gaming, we aim to better comprehend how men may utilize this platform to engage with others and how we can capitalize on activities they are already involved in, such as gaming, to enhance their social connections and overall mental well-being.”

Prochnow’s investigations have already delved into how online gaming communities might act as a type of “digital third place,” enabling groups of men to build social ties through a shared sense of competition and accomplishment. In their 2023 study, Prochnow and his co-researchers — including fellow Public Health professor Dr. Megan Patterson — monitored a small cohort of participants on a website centered around a football simulation game. Their findings revealed that members of this community often developed close relationships and frequently engaged in discussions about deeply personal matters that were unrelated to the game itself.

“We discovered that while gamers initially discussed various aspects of the game, seeking advice from more experienced players, those conversations gradually evolved into discussions about real-life issues,” Prochnow remarked. “We had one participant conversing with another about adoption processes, knowing that the other individual had undergone that experience.”

He and his co-researchers are currently conducting a follow-up study to assess whether these patterns are prevalent across the broader online gaming landscape, surveying a more extensive array of players across different genres of games.

Although not an ideal replacement for face-to-face engagement, Prochnow emphasized that these online communities can serve as a crucial lifeline for individuals lacking in-person networks of support and social interaction. Among other observations in the 2023 study, Prochnow and his colleagues noted that users who reported heightened feelings of depression and limited access to real-world support were 40% more likely to establish social connections within the online gaming environment compared to those with a greater degree of in-person support.

Several factors contribute to online gaming being a compelling social venue for isolated men, Prochnow stated. Many of these games encourage interaction and teamwork, while the relative anonymity of online spaces enables men to discuss personal subjects that they might find uncomfortable addressing with real-life acquaintances.

“We observe that men feel at ease making new friends online, and particularly in our research, online gaming serves as a pathway for that,” he stated. “They are already engaging in some of these activities for enjoyment, achievement, and escapism, but now they are also utilizing it to socialize and reconnect with others — to find new friendships and individuals with shared interests.”

What’s At Stake

Efforts to tackle the escalating loneliness crisis are intensifying as its repercussions on individuals and communities become increasingly evident.

“When we examine men’s social connectivity and mental health, we are identifying harmful effects not just on the individuals in the form of self-harm — with the worst-case outcome being suicide — but we’re also observing various impacts across the spectrum, whether that involves domestic violence or extremist behavior,” Prochnow elaborated.

As men find it difficult to carve out a space within traditional social and community frameworks, some may be lured into detrimental groups and behaviors, he noted.

In the long run, Prochnow expressed his hope that this research can guide new public health initiatives, utilizing the positive social connections created through online gaming to promote additional healthy behaviors among men, such as fostering in-person communities and candidly discussing mental health issues.

“I aspire to leverage these types of interactions as a springboard, or as a pathway to enhance other health-promoting social exchanges,” Prochnow commented. “In conventional masculine culture, men are often perceived as needing to be strong and silent. If they can find a secure environment with shared interests and common goals, we’re witnessing many of those barriers breaking down.”