Videogame avatars can offer safer alternatives for exploring and expressing gender identities for transgender and gender diverse people, according to a new research review.
Experts from the University of Nottingham's School of Psychology examined research from the past decade, analysing 14 studies and found that avatar customisation is a unique mechanism for exploring, expressing, and affirming gender identity for transgender players and has a positive impact on wellbeing. The findings have been published the International Journal of Transgender Health.
Video games offer players diverse, meaningful experiences through emotionally resonant narratives and complex characters with some games allowing players to customise virtual extensions of themselves, known as avatars, through which they explore environments, narratives, and social interactions.
Participants in the studies that were reviewed reported reduced gender dysphoria and increased gender euphoria when avatars aligned with their gender identity and desired expression. This effect was particularly strong when other players affirmed the players' gender identity based on their in-game avatar.
These effects were most pronounced in role-playing and narrative-driven games and in games with high levels of avatar customization. An example of this is the game Baldur's Gate 3 which was highlighted by participants as having both a rich, emotionally impactful narrative as well as inclusive and meaningful avatar customisation options.
Studies also highlighted the online environment as a safer alternative for gender identity exploration and expression than offline environments.
This review was led by Dr Cecilie Lolansen from the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham, she said: "In times of increasing infringements on transgender and gender diverse people's rights and access to care, it's becoming incredibly important to explore new ways of supporting these individuals, particularly when gender affirming care may be limited."
Our findings are not only important for cyberpsychology, but for clinicians and healthcare providers seeking to support transgender and gender diverse individuals using a low-cost intervention to enhance their wellbeing.
This research shows that video games can be more than just entertainment, they can be affirming spaces that support identity development. Game designers and mental health professionals have an opportunity to leverage these findings for inclusive design and psychological interventions.
