Neurodivergent Experiences with Virtual Reality and Its Mental Health Implications: Reddit Post analysis

This qualitative secondary data analysis investigates the virtual reality experiences of neurodivergent users to understand their perspectives on VR use, assess its mental health implications, and identify necessary design improvements. Using thematic analysis, our findings reveal two main themes: (1) VR imposes mental health challenges and (2) barriers to meaningful social connections, both of which arise from design flaws in current virtual reality technologies. These overarching themes highlight how such limitations prevent neurodivergent end-users from fully benefiting from virtual reality, especially from a mental health perspective. This study emphasises the need for participant-focused inclusive design to ensure virtual reality technologies can better support neurodivergent users’ mental health.