For many, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is known as a fantasy tabletop game. However, Emily Messina, an associate professor and program director for Florida International University’s Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy Program, says the activity goes beyond simple entertainment.
Messina describes D&D as a form of “serious leisure,” a term used by sociologists to define hobbies that require skill, commitment, and offer personal fulfillment. According to Messina, what often begins with rolling dice can evolve into extended campaigns and collaborative storytelling that foster problem-solving, creativity, and social bonds.
To explore these dynamics further, Messina conducted research on how games like D&D promote identity-building and connection among players. Her interest was sparked by a scene in the television series Stranger Things. She recently published her findings in the journal Leisure Studies.
The game provides players with “the sense of a safe space and a place to create their own identity,” Messina said. In the 1980s, D&D was often dismissed — sometimes demonized — as an inappropriate game due to perceived but unfounded links to the occult. Today, it’s widely recognized as a place for players to explore, connect and express themselves.
“Players were comfortable being themselves by engaging in the game pursuit,” Messina said, “but at the same time were building personas in line with, or in contrast to, their normal personality. They described it as a way to take charge, or lead an effort in ways that their normal personality would allow for, but they wouldn’t be inclined to do.”
Messina attributes this comfort level to the absence of real-world consequences during gameplay. Players may feel more at ease from both social and safety perspectives but must still consider risks within the game itself since reckless decisions could result in losing their characters.
“That’s not something you see in other games,” Messina said. “It’s something they’ve been developing over months or years.”
Messina also highlights that D&D offers social and emotional benefits such as building relationships through shared experiences and maintaining connections with fellow players over time.
One participant from her study noted that playing D&D provided a sense of belonging and meaningful engagement as she grew older.
“As we’re growing older and no longer playing sports, what does that place for leisure activity look like for adults,” Messina asked.
Research into leisure activities has shown that after childhood pursuits like sports or drama end, adults often lose structured opportunities for teamwork and creative expression. According to Messina, D&D helps fill this gap by offering such structure even after traditional outlets are no longer available.
“For example,” Messina added, “for thespians who no longer have plays to take part in after high school and suddenly find themselves working for an HR department, how would they express themselves? Where does that identity go? Dungeons & Dragons would be a good outlet for that.”
She notes that D&D can also benefit individuals managing mental illness who may not be able to maintain full-time employment by providing daily structure compared to passive activities like binge-watching shows.
“The idea of being able to use leisure to structure your time and gain some wins lets you see a positive return on what you’re dedicating your time to, and building on that and seeing your skill sets grow,” Messina said. “That’s going to turn into self-determination. You’re going to be more motivated to build on your own skill sets and have a sense of autonomy.”
Messina suggests activities like D&D can serve different age groups: as reward systems for children or as sources of purpose for retirees seeking daily rhythm.
“Post retirement is one of the most dangerous points in an adult’s life,” she said. “They lose that sense of structure and possibly their social connection.”
She points out that structured leisure pursuits after retirement can help maintain physical fitness, support cognitive processing skills such as attention span, encourage social interaction, and reduce depression risk.
“The idea of structure and reward with desired pursuit can work for all ages,” Messina said.
