Serious games for psychological health education

Abstract

This paper presents a summary of recent research efforts aiming to address modern psychological health education needs through the use of innovative instructional tools. The current body of research on virtual learning environments and serious games as they relate to psychological treatment shows promising results, especially in the case of the instructional interventions that provide an optimal blend of education and training and focus on the psychological health knowledge acquisition as well as appropriate stress management skills and behaviors. In concert with the theoretical and research foundations within the psychological health domain and pedagogical precepts in the area of simulation and game-based learning, this article also presents design considerations for serious games for psychological health. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.