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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #282621
Title: Story immersion of videogames for youth health promotion: A review of literature

Author
item LU, AMY - Northwestern University
item BARANOWSKI, TOM - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item Thompson, Deborah - Debbe
item BUDAY, RICHARD - Archimage, Inc

Submitted to: The Games for Health Journal: Research, Development, and Clinical Applications
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/9/2011
Publication Date: 6/1/2012
Citation: Lu, A.S., Baranowski, T., Thompson, D., Buday, R. 2012. Story immersion of videogames for youth health promotion: A review of literature. The Games for Health Journal: Research, Development, and Clinical Applications. 1(3):199-204.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This article reviews research in the fields of psychology, literature, communication, human–computer interaction, public health, and consumer behavior on narrative and its potential relationships with videogames and story immersion. It also reviews a narrative's role in complementing behavioral change theories and the potential of story immersion for health promotion through videogames. Videogames have potential for health promotion and may be especially promising when attempting to reach youth. An understudied characteristic of videogames is that many contain a narrative, or story. Story immersion (transportation) is a mechanism through which a narrative influences players' cognition, affect, and, potentially, health behavior. Immersion promotes the suspension of disbelief and the reduction of counterarguments, enables the story experience as a personal experience, and creates the player's deep affection for narrative protagonists. Story immersion complements behavioral change theories, including the Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Cognitive Theory, and Self-Determination Theory. Systematic investigations are needed to realize the powerful potential of interactive narratives within theory-driven research.