If you’re interested in use of ttrpgs for social growth, I was lucky enough to be an author on the report “Critical Growth” which you can read at the link below! Thanks to Dr. Michele Jarldorn and the team at Minds at Play for all their hard work on this.
A special thanks to our “research party” George Martin, Corey Martin and Loey Matthews for their insights!
Commissioned by Minds at Play and developed by the University of South Australia, this report sheds light on the potential of #TTRPGs in fostering stronger relationships between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals. By encouraging a deeper understanding of different perspectives, these games create a platform for connection and empathy.
The research team, inspired by TTRPG parties, took a cooperative approach and analysed academic literature using a scoping review method. While the therapeutic benefits of TTRPGs, especially #dungeonsanddragons, have been extensively studied, the report reveals a gap in research on TTRPGs for social growth and cross-neurotype relationship development.
An exciting highlight of the study was the formation of a neurodiverse research team, mirroring TTRPG parties. It yielded incredibly positive results, emphasising the importance of diverse teams in future research endeavours.
The report uncovers the inherent qualities of TTRPG design that contribute to positive social growth, calling for further exploration in this field.
Read the full report here: https://mindsatplay.com.au/2023/05/14/how-can-tabletop-roleplaying-games-ttrpgs-promote-social-growth-in-their-players/