2026-05-21T21:50:01Zhttps://keep.lib.asu.edu/oai/request

oai:keep.lib.asu.edu:node-2004622025-04-22T18:57:06Zoai_pmh:alloai_pmh:repo_items

200462 https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.2.N.200462 http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 2025-05 39 pages Chao, Jupiter Mack, Robert Cavanaugh-Toft, Carolyn Barrett, The Honors College Department of Psychology While researchers have examined the uses and effects of consuming horror films and video games, there is a lack of literature concerning the psychological implications of watching horror video game playthroughs. In light of Katz et al.'s (1974) uses and gratifications theory, I examined 400 comments across four different YouTube videos of P.T. (2014) gameplay to evaluate the potential impacts of watching horror game playthroughs upon viewers' mental health. Overall, viewers most commonly reported fearful reactions or admiration for the game itself, while many others engaged in humorous responses to the content. Some of the potential effects upon mental health may include improved emotional regulation, an enhanced sense of community, a gradual decrease in fearful responses to certain perceived threats, or mild emotional distress. Future studies should focus on a variety of horror games and streaming platforms, examine a different population, or conduct more in-depth evaluations of participants' mental health. Mental Health Horror Video Games Fear Exploring the Impact of Watching Horror Video Game Playthroughs on Managing Mental Health