Date of Defense
4-22-2026
Date of Graduation
5-2026
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Chris Colgrove
Second Advisor
Kevin Abbott
Third Advisor
Jennifer Harrison
Keywords
tabletop role-playing games, Dungeons & Dragons, therapeutic interventions, anxiety, depression, stress, young adults, social work
Abstract
Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) are played by a large population and involve the engagement of social and emotional skills, with the largest portion of the population playing them being adolescents or young adults. The therapeutic application of TTRPGs in the treatment of depressive and anxious symptoms shows potential with this population. In a literature review, three major themes are identified: TTRPG culture, stakeholder perspectives of TTRPGs, and examples of therapeutically-applied TTRPGs. Overall, evidence suggests that TTRPGs can positively impact the concerned symptoms, though more research is needed for games outside of Dungeons & Dragons as well as stakeholder perspectives.
Recommended Citation
DeGrote, Dash, "Therapeutic Applications of Tabletop Role-playing Games in Treatment of Depressive and Anxious Symptoms in Young Adults" (2026). Honors Theses. 4027.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/4027
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access