RESUMO
Objectives: Digital games are a popular form of entertainment for youth. They are often used as a therapy for psychological problems, a mental health promotion intervention, and a preventative measure. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of mental health-related digital games. However, a synthesis considering all evaluation results to inform their development is missing. Methods: We performed a review of reviews to synthetize results of previous research to describe the impact of digital games on the mental health of young people aged <30 years old. We considered systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2012 and 2022. Searches were conducted in Scopus, Google Scholar, Pubmed, and Cochrane library systematic reviews (CENTRAL) during October 2023. Results: Our final selection included 10 systematic reviews and meta-analyses on interventions targeting youth of both sexes aged 2-29 years old across the world. In total, 218 interventions were identified. Selected articles reported different types of games, e.g., active and non-active video games, virtual reality games, serious games. Not all digital games were conscientiously evaluated, but, in general, their impact on mental health was positive. Regarding the quality, 5 studies were of high quality, 3 of moderate quality and 2 of low quality. Conclusions: Overall, elements of gamification were well-accepted, but they lacked assessment through rigorous experimental conditions. Digital games for mental health are promising, but in order to be consistently effective in promoting young people's mental health and prevent psychological diseases, they should present specific features.
RESUMO
Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy among young adults is a current public health issue that needs to be addressed considering the seasonally driven waves of disease and the administration of vaccine boosters. As a prevention measure, the EU Covid certificate had been implemented to increase vaccine uptake, but its application was controversial. Our study investigated students' opinions and attitudes towards Covid-19 vaccination and the EU Covid certificate through a mixed-methods design. An 18-item questionnaire was administered to 200 students during a vaccination campaign in September 2021 at the University of Bordeaux, France. Simultaneously, 30 students attended a semi-structured interview. Collected data were analyzed separately then discussed together through a parallel and convergent approach. Results showed that vaccine hesitancy was high among students, mostly from fear of short-term side effects. However, respondents decided to get vaccinated to obtain the EU Covid certificate, even if they considered it as a violation of their freedom. Straightforward communication about Covid-19 vaccination did not reach students, although this was a strong expectation from governmental and health institutions. Findings suggest that key health personnel should provide evidence-based information about vaccines in efforts of building trust with young people.
