Screenshots from the “Good Party Gone Bad” VR module. Credit score: Well being Informatics Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1177/14604582241290712
Well being-risk behaviors comparable to binge consuming, drug use, and violence are frequent amongst faculty college students. These points are particularly prevalent amongst first-year college students residing away from their households for the primary time. Based on the American Habit Facilities, practically half of all faculty college students would qualify for a minimum of one substance use dysfunction.
A pilot and feasibility research by Kenneth W. Griffin and colleagues discovered that utilizing VR expertise to forestall substance misuse and violence is each possible and interesting;100% of individuals agreed that this system may very well be carried out on faculty campuses.
“VR for reducing adolescent risk behaviors is an emerging area of research, focusing mostly on developing VR modules that are appealing and feasible,” Griffin explains. “This study is novel in that it examines the viability of VR technology to provide virtual role-play and skills practice opportunities to supplement an existing evidence-based drug and violence prevention approach.”
VR has been proven to assist deal with psychological well being circumstances like anxiousness, phobias, and PTSD. Griffin and colleagues are testing whether or not this expertise can successfully forestall substance misuse and violence.
Within the pilot research, researchers developed a sequence of VR modules that put customers in several digital social conditions. For instance, individuals would possibly witness somebody being drugged at a celebration or see a classmate dishonest. In selecting the perfect response for every state of affairs, they observe cognitive-behavioral expertise for stopping danger behaviors with their digital friends.
These expertise could embrace assertive communication, negotiation, compromise, battle decision, or bystander intervention methods. The VR classes supplemented on-line e-learning modules classes based mostly on the LifeSkills Coaching program.
Earlier than and after the coaching, individuals took the identical evaluation. Outcomes confirmed improved decision-making and stronger anti-violence attitudes.
Griffin emphasizes the necessity for extra analysis. “While VR may be a useful tool for reducing youth health risk behaviors, more rigorous controlled trials are needed to determine whether VR technologies can produce behavioral outcomes and the duration of these effects.”
The paper, “Using virtual reality technology to prevent substance misuse and violence among university students: A pilot and feasibility study,” was revealed within the Well being Informatics Journal in October 2024.
Extra data:
Kenneth W Griffin et al, Utilizing digital actuality expertise to forestall substance misuse and violence amongst college college students: A pilot and feasibility research, Well being Informatics Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1177/14604582241290712
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George Mason College
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