As widely popular cultural products, video games also construct narratives around social issues such as mental health. The way in which they approach this issue can influence players’ perceptions and contribute to perpetuating certain stereotypes or, conversely, to fostering more inclusive views.
The CEU Abat Oliba University will explore this issue through the project ‘Representation of Mental Health in Video Games: Destigmatisation, Inclusivity and Sociocultural Diversity’ (REPRAESENTATIO), which has secured funding under the State Research Agency’s Knowledge Generation Projects 2025 call for proposals. The award recognises the CEU UAO’s research activity and reinforces its participation in competitive projects at the national level.
Launched this September and lasting three years, REPRAESENTATIO will analyse how mental health issues are represented in video games and what role these representations play in processes of stigmatisation, inclusion and the construction of social imaginaries.
Research with scientific and social impact
REPRAESENTATIO aims to generate scientific knowledge that will provide a better understanding of how one of the most globally impactful cultural industries addresses mental health. It will combine qualitative and quantitative methodologies and analyse these representations from an inclusive and sociocultural perspective.
The research will not be limited to the academic sphere. Based on the findings, the team will develop recommendations, practical resources and best-practice guides aimed at both the creative industry and health and education professionals. The goal is to help promote more responsible and inclusive representations and to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.
The evaluation reports for the call highlighted the proposal’s scientific and social relevance, its innovative nature, the soundness of its methodological approach and its potential for knowledge transfer. They also particularly valued the interdisciplinary composition of the research team.
An interdisciplinary team led by the CEU UAO
The project is led by Dr. Alfonso Freire Sánchez of the CEU Abat Oliba University, who is serving as principal investigator. The CEU UAO team includes Roser Serra Florensa, Alexandra Sans Serrano, Yago Lavandeira Amenedo, Ada Garriga Cots, Jorge Martínez Lucena, Sergio Gómez Moyano, María Fitó Carreras, Jesús López González and Evelyn López Pérez. Montserrat Vidal-Mestre and Tania Salla are participating on behalf of the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
REPRAESENTATIO will carry out various research, knowledge transfer and outreach activities aimed at the scientific community, society and the professional sector.
