Study finds religion/spirituality may protect against depression among young adult online gamers

Media Contact: Karen Addis, APR, karen@addispr.com, 301-787-2394

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: To schedule an interview with the research team, please contact Karen Addis at karen@addispr.com or news@counseling.org.

Alexandria, Va. (Jan. 21, 2026) — Internet use is part of daily life for many people in work, social interaction, entertainment, shopping, and many other activities. Many people engage in online gaming to facilitate social connection, though the activity can also contribute to other Internet activities that could increase symptoms of internet addiction and depression. Some research suggests that religion and spirituality may act as a protective factor against internet addiction and depression by providing meaning, social support, and reduced feelings of isolation. 

In the new study, “Predicting major depression among diverse online gamers: The role of internet addiction and spirituality,” researchers looked at how internet addiction is affecting online gamers. Researchers Lindsay A. Lundeen, PhD, of the University of Arkansas and John R. McCall, PhD, of Auburn University surveyed 340 diverse gamers aged 18-24. The sample was comprised of individuals who were predominantly Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino(a/e), White, and female who played an online game at least once weekly. The study appeared in the Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, a publication of the American Counseling Association.

“We found that gamers who struggled to limit, cut back, or control their Internet use were 35 percent more likely to experience symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to gamers who did not struggle to control Internet activity,” says Lundeen who, along with her co-author, is an online gamer. “At the same time, gamers in the study who identified as religious or spiritual were 62 percent less likely to experience MDD symptoms, even if they experienced difficulties moderating Internet use.”

The study demonstrates that spiritual or religious affiliation, even beyond religious practices, can buffer against MDD symptoms. Spiritual affiliation, researchers say, can include “meaning-making” (the process of how people interpret, understand, or make sense of life events), engaging in forgiveness, or finding belonging.

“Our research supports other literature about how internet use of any kind can impact mental health, especially if individuals are not intentional about why they are on the internet,” says McCall.

Lundeen and McCall say their research underscores the importance for counselors to understand how people use the internet and the purpose that usage serves for each individual. When tailoring treatment plans for online gamers with symptoms of MDD or internet addiction, they say counselors should consider how religion or spirituality could be helpful or harmful to the client.

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