Limitations

This article covers the limitations for this style of social skills therapy. It can help determine if a group such as this is the right fit for an individual. It also lists the limitations of utilizing a system such as Dungeons & Dragons. This information all comes from “A Scoping Review”, which can be found in the Resources tab.

Limitations on Suitability:

• “Before considering TTRPG as a therapeutic tool, it is important to acknowledge that this approach may not be suitable for everyone. The psychological benefits of TTRPG are likely to be experienced only by individuals who genuinely enjoy the gaming process and possess a sufficient level of engagement with the fantasy setting, since the process of gaming that is beyond reality is limited only by the imagination of the participants. This could become the hindrance for adult participants. They might be less inclined to deviate from real-life norms even during the game session, limiting the possibility of imaginary choice and decision-making.” - A Scoping Review

• “certain players, particularly those who are currently experiencing psychosis or have other safety concerns, may not be suitable candidates for playing TTRPG.” - A Scoping Review

Limitations of the D&D System:

• “However, the D&D system gives a certain determinism regarding the physical features and strengths that players’ characters possess based on their chosen race and class. Simplifying, for instance, communication skills into numerical representations like a character’s charisma, can lead to discomfort among neurodiverse players, such as autistic children.” - A Scoping Review