What are the wellbeing impacts of roleplaying and other community activities?

Allen, Jenny and Smith, Ian and Sturdee, Miriam and Eccles, Fiona (2026) What are the wellbeing impacts of roleplaying and other community activities? PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

The thesis explored the experiences of people with mental health problems who have attended community groups and activities and the impact they described this as having on their mental health and wellbeing. The systematic literature review explored the experiences of people who attended community-based activities. A systematic search of four databases resulted in the inclusion of nine papers which were analysed using meta-ethnography. Participation in community-based activities was found to be beneficial for mental health and psychological wellbeing. Three interlinked themes and a model were produced; each theme improved psychological wellbeing independently and augmented the effects of the others, suggesting that groups which provide the opportunity for all three are likely to be most beneficial. Clinical implications include guidance for clinicians on signposting to relevant community activities and for the development of beneficial interventions and activities. The research paper explored the experiences of tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) players. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), uncovering six group experiential themes which showed that TTRPGs were experienced as beneficial to mental health and wellbeing. Several novel mechanisms of action were identified, including factors which ensure that the gaming environment feels safe enough for psychological benefits to occur, how the specific structures of TTRPGs support initial interactions and the development and maintenance of relationships, how creative expression through TTRPGs contributes to the development of positive identities and ‘afterglow’ which details the mood-improving effects of playing. Clinical implications include guidance on exploring gamers’ experiences in therapy, which clients may benefit from being signposted to TTRPGs, and how the findings could be used to develop therapeutic TTRPGs and incorporate elements of TTRPGs into group therapy. The critical analysis section draws together the findings from both papers and provides reflections on the research process.