Probing with Pokémon: Feeling of presence and sense of community belonging

Effects of Pokémon GO on Physical Activity and Psychological and Social Outcomes: A Systematic Review

“…In this case, only the parent article was included. Finally, 36 articles [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ] were included for this review.…”

“…The psychological outcomes varied and included affect [ 21 , 44 , 51 ], life satisfaction [ 27 , 51 ], emotional intelligence [ 31 , 40 ], vitality and empathy [ 27 ], attitude toward PA [ 29 ], psychological distress and wellbeing [ 42 , 55 ], neuroticism [ 56 ] working memory [ 21 , 31 , 40 ], selective attention and concentration capacity [ 31 , 40 ], and other cognitive performance, such as mathematical calculation and reading ability [ 31 , 40 ], and creative imagination [ 31 ]. Social indicators included interpersonal interaction [ 27 , 31 , 32 , 40 , 44 , 51 , 52 ], community belonging [ 54 ], empathy, [ 21 ] social anxiety, depression, and loneliness [ 51 ].…”

“…Comparing to studies focused on the effects on PA, there were relatively fewer articles that examined psychological and/or social effects (13 out of 36 studies) of Pokémon GO: seven studies investigated both psychological and social outcomes [ 21 , 27 , 31 , 32 , 40 , 44 , 51 ], four studies examined only psychological outcomes [ 29 , 42 , 55 , 56 ], and two explored only social effects [ 52 , 54 ] of the game. Eleven articles, which indicated psychological benefits of playing Pokémon GO, reported that the use of game was effective in improving affect and mood [ 21 , 32 , 42 , 51 , 55 , 56 ].…”

“…Multiple studies [ 21 , 27 , 31 , 32 , 40 , 44 , 51 , 52 , 54 ] reported improved social wellbeing after the use of Pokémon GO. It was associated with improvement in emotions crucial in building health interpersonal relationships, such as empathy [ 21 ], social anxiety, and depression [ 32 , 51 ].…”

“…For example, one study reported reduced anxiety of leaving the house and interacting with strangers after a week of game play [ 32 ]. The game play was also beneficial in increased friendship formation and intensification [ 51 ], greater social interaction [ 27 ], sociability [ 31 , 40 , 44 , 52 ], and sense of belonging and connection [ 54 ].…”