26.3 GAMING DISORDER SYMPTOMS FROM ADOLESCENCE TO EMERGING ADULTHOOD: A 6-YEAR LONGITUDINAL STUDY

Abstract

The objective of this presentation is to examine developmental trajectories of gaming disorder symptoms over a 6-year period, crossing the threshold between adolescence and emerging adulthood. A longitudinal panel study of 385 adolescents (mean age = 15.01 at Time 1), surveyed annually for 6 years, will be presented. Participants were randomly selected from the Seattle, WA area, and stratified to be representative of the region (part of the Flourishing Families Project). Three distinct developmental trajectories appeared. Approximately 10% of adolescents began with a moderate number of symptoms and then increased over time. Eighteen percent started with a moderate number of symptoms but held steady across time. Finally, most (72%) stayed relatively low across time. The increasing symptoms group demonstrated the worst outcomes, with higher depression, aggression, shyness, problematic cell phone use, and anxiety, despite not being significantly different from the other groups at the beginning of the study. The moderate and unchanging symptom group also had poorer outcomes than the stable low symptoms group. Overall, 2% of the sample began the study at a clinically relevant number of symptoms and maintained that level through year 6. This study provides evidence for the validity of gaming disorder as an issue that can result in long-term negative outcomes. It also suggests that for some youth, the transition to emerging adulthood is not sufficient to “shake them out” of their harmful patterns. In addition, it suggests that there may be a preclinical level of symptoms that can be problematic.