Esports Study Finds ‘National Teams’ Are Under Immense Mental Pressure

The esports industry continues to grow rapidly, evolving into a multi-billion-dollar global phenomenon featuring hundreds of millions of enthusiasts. As the landscape expands, competitive gaming has increasingly adopted a traditional international sporting approach through large-scale tournaments such as the Asian Games, the Esports Olympics, the Esports Nations Cup, and game-specific competitions like the PUBG Nations Cup. However, this shift toward national representation has brought hidden challenges to the forefront for participating competitors.

A recent world-first study conducted by the University of Stirling explored the concept of performance under pressure, focusing specifically on the mental stress experienced by players representing not just an organization, but an entire country. Researchers sat down with South Korean esports players who participated in the 2022 Asian Games in China to identify and analyze key themes surrounding emotional distress.

Dr. Hee Jung Hong, an associate professor at the University of Stirling, noted that as esports enters a defining period and becomes recognized within the international sporting system, competitors face significant psychological demands alongside the pride and recognition of representing their nations. Hong emphasized that if esports is to continue its rapid growth as an international sport, governance, player welfare, and mental health support must evolve concurrently.

The findings highlight a growing alignment between esports athletes and traditional athletes. In recent years, organizations have increasingly onboarded development coaches, physical trainers, sports therapists, and psychiatrists to help maintain player well-being. Major tournaments also frequently offer psychological support, healthcare services, media coaching, and performance analysis. The resulting evidence pack from the University of Stirling aims to serve as a resource for governments, event organizers, and policymakers to help establish a sustainable, athlete-centered future for competitive gaming.