Abstract
Gaming behaviors have been significantly influenced by smartphones. This study was designed to explore gaming behaviors and clinical characteristics across different gaming device usage patterns and the role of the patterns on Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Responders of an online survey regarding smartphone and online game usage were classified by different gaming device usage patterns: (1) individuals who played only computer games; (2) individuals who played computer games more than smartphone games; (3) individuals who played computer and smartphone games evenly; (4) individuals who played smartphone games more than computer games; (5) individuals who played only smartphone games. Data on demographics, gaming-related behaviors, and scales for Internet and smartphone addiction, depression, anxiety disorder, and substance use were collected. Combined users, especially those who played computer and smartphone games evenly, had higher prevalence of IGD, depression, anxiety disorder, and substance use disorder. These subjects were more prone to develop IGD than reference group (computer only gamers) (B = 0.457, odds ratio = 1.579). Smartphone only gamers had the lowest prevalence of IGD, spent the least time and money on gaming, and showed lowest scores of Internet and smartphone addiction. Our findings suggest that gaming device usage patterns may be associated with the occurrence, course, and prognosis of IGD.
Highlights
Playing online games is one of the most popular recreational activities
Our findings suggest that gaming device usage patterns may be associated with the occurrence, course, and prognosis of Internet gaming disorder (IGD)
Studies on IGD have mainly focused on personal computer (PC) games, especially massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) [3], and consistently reported that IGD was highly prevalent among male adolescents [6]
Summary
Playing online games is one of the most popular recreational activities. According to a Korean national survey conducted in 2016, 67.9% of the general population aged from 10 to 65 years old played online games [1]. Though gaming is a pleasurable and stimulatory activity, the dark side of excessive gaming is evident as well. Excessive use and loss of control over gaming has brought about various mental health and social concerns [2]. As numerous psychological and neurobiological correlates of excessive Internet gaming have been elucidated, such as impulsivity, reward sensitivity, and altered brain structure and function [3,4], the revised version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, fifth edition (DSM-5) has listed the phenomenon of Internet gaming disorder (IGD). According to a Korean national survey conducted in 2015, among
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