Bengaluru: A study by researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) has reaffirmed an association between fantasy sports use among adolescents and symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression.The study, titled ‘Exploration of motivation, temperament and psychological distress among adolescent fantasy sports users through the framework of the I-PACE model’, examined the psychological impact of fantasy sports participation among adolescents aged 17 to 19. Researchers noted that cognitive functions in young adults — particularly impulse control and decision-making — are still developing, making this age group more vulnerable to problematic engagement.The I-PACE (Interaction of Person–Affect–Cognition–Execution) model, commonly used to study behavioural addictions such as problematic gaming and gambling, was used to examine how personality traits, emotional states, and motivations influence fantasy sports participation and its possible mental health consequences.The study surveyed 122 fantasy sports users between July 2024 and April 2025 through convenience sampling. Researchers found that participants were primarily drawn by their love for sports, interest in the game and escapism. Many reported using fantasy sports to cope with academic pressure, stress, anxiety or depressive feelings, describing it as a temporary source of relief and enjoyment.The findings showed that adolescents with frustration-related temperament traits and escapism-driven motivations were more likely to report higher levels of psychological distress, including symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. In contrast, adolescents with stronger self-control and healthier intrinsic motivations reported lower levels of psychological distress.The researchers observed that fantasy sports use, in some cases, appeared linked to emotional dependence and compulsive engagement, particularly among emotionally vulnerable users. “We conducted the study before the introduction of the online gaming bill and before several fantasy sports service providers shut down in India. At the time, adolescents and young adults were actively engaging in fantasy sports, and we wanted to understand both the attraction towards these platforms and the psychological factors associated with their usage,” said Anamika Sahu, associate professor in the department of clinical psychology at Nimhans.“While some participants used fantasy sports casually without any issues, others appeared to indulge excessively, prompting us to examine how this behaviour develops and is maintained through the I-PACE model,” she added.The researchers noted that fantasy sports differ from many other forms of online gaming because they require strategic thinking and analytical skills. Participants analyse player performance, build teams, exchange strategies, and engage deeply with the sport rather than remaining passive spectators.Importantly, addiction levels remained relatively low. Only about 4% of the 122 respondents met the criteria for gaming disorder, indicating that most users were not addicted to fantasy sports. However, the researchers cautioned that fantasy sports participation may still have psychological implications for adolescents, particularly when linked to emotional vulnerability and maladaptive coping mechanisms.They also speculated that after several Indian fantasy sports platforms shut down following regulatory changes, some users may have migrated to international platforms. The findings suggest future interventions should focus on improving psychological awareness, promoting healthy coping strategies, and encouraging responsible engagement with fantasy sports and online gaming.Key Findings From Study* 122 fantasy sports users aged 17-19 were surveyed by Nimhans researchers* Nearly 15% (18 participants) reported making financial transactions on fantasy sports platforms. Some of them reported losses, though financial involvement was limited to a minority* About 4% (five participants) met the study criteria for gaming disorder* Sports interest, love for the game and escapism were the main motivations reported by participants* Those with higher frustration traits and escapism-driven motivations reported greater stress, anxiety & depressive symptoms
