Impact of Participation in Role-Playing Game (RPG) Sessions on the Perceived Level of Social Anxiety and Received Social Support

TL;DR

This study explores how role-playing games can help reduce social anxiety and increase social support in young adults.

Contribution

The study introduces RPGs as a novel, engaging intervention for social anxiety disorder.

Findings

Participants showed reduced anxiety and avoidance after RPG sessions.

Weekly sessions had a stronger impact on anxiety reduction than biweekly ones.

Perceived social support increased, especially in the biweekly group.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders and are often associated with significant discomfort and impaired functioning. One of the more frequent forms is social anxiety disorder, which is characterized by excessive fear of social evaluation and the avoidance of social situations. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of role-playing games (RPGs) as an alternative form of support for people with social anxiety disorder. Methods: Thirty participants aged 18–28 with a non-generalized form of social anxiety were qualified for the study and assigned to two conditions differing in session frequency (once a week vs. once every two weeks). Participants were assigned to groups based on the order of registration for the study. As the recruitment was open to the public and participants registered voluntarily, the assignment process was not strictly random and may have been influenced by self-selection factors. The intervention lasted 3 months and included elements of social exposure and social skills training within a structured RPG scenario. The study lasted from March to November 2024 at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Szczecin. Standardized tools (LSAS, ISSB) were used to measure social anxiety and received social support before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using the JASP statistical program version 0.17.2. Results: The results indicate a statistically significant reduction in anxiety and avoidance in all groups, with a greater effect observed in the once-a-week group (Cohens’s d = 0.94). At the same time, an increase in perceived social support was noted, especially in the biweekly condition. The greatest changes were observed in the total support score, while specific components (emotional, informational, instrumental) showed differentiated dynamics depending on frequency. Conclusions: The findings suggest that RPG-based interventions may serve as a preliminarily effective and engaging form of support for individuals with social anxiety, contributing to symptom reduction and improved functioning in social contexts.

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