More Is Not Always More: Rethinking Task Demand and Mood Repair in VR Gaming

Abstract: Rooted in mood management theory (MMT), this study considers whether the heightened perceived demands of virtual reality video games (VRVGs) would differentially repair moods for bored versus stressed individuals. A 2 (bored or stressed) × 2 (monitor or VR) factorial design with within-subjects measures of mood found no differences of gaming modality on mood repair. VRVGs were not perceived as any more demanding than monitor-based gaming, and both were moderately demanding. Stressed participants had higher mood repair than bored participants, in part because the stress induction was stronger. Overall, our findings both (a) challenge assumptions about VRVGs as inherently more demanding while (b) supporting a basic tenet of MMT-based mood repair – moderately demanding experiences disrupt noxious mood states.