Exploring the multifaceted learning benefits of video gaming among female university students in Saudi Arabia


Creative Commons License

Alwhaibi R. M., Alanzan R., Aldamok R., Aldafas L., Alanazi R., Alwahibi A., ...Daha Fazla

Scientific Reports, cilt.16, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 16 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1038/s41598-025-32603-9
  • Dergi Adı: Scientific Reports
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Academic engagement, Cognitive skills, Higher education, Student motivation, Thematic analysis, Video games
  • İnönü Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The increasing prevalence of video gaming has transformed leisure activities worldwide, especially among university students. In Saudi Arabia, 67% of the population engages in gaming, raising questions about its impact on cognitive, emotional, social, and psychomotor skills. This study explores the transferable skills developed through video gaming, focusing on female university students in Saudi Arabia. An exploratory qualitative approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 37 female university students aged 18 to 25, each with at least one year of gaming experience. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns in the data. The study revealed that video games enhance cognitive skills, including problem-solving, strategic thinking, and time management. Emotional regulation, teamwork, communication, and leadership were also developed through gaming. Psychomotor skills, such as hand-eye coordination and reflexes, were notably improved, and participants reported the transfer of these skills to academic tasks. Video gaming supports the development of diverse cognitive, emotional, social, and psychomotor skills, suggesting its potential for integration into academic environments to enhance learning and personal growth.