Lack of consensus among scholars on the issue of video game “addiction”.

Abstract

Whether pathological video game overuse constitutes a distinct mental disorder remains an issue of controversy among scholars. Both empirical data and scholarly opinions differ regarding the status of pathological gaming and whether “addiction” is the best frame by which to understand video game use. The current study sought to examine the status of scholarly opinions in a survey of 214 scholars to examine their opinion of possible behavioral effects of games. Results indicated a variance of opinions. About 60.8% of scholars agreed pathological gaming could be a mental health problem, whereas 30.4% were skeptical. However, only 49.7% believed the DSM criteria for “internet gaming disorder” were valid, with slightly higher numbers, 56.5%, supporting the World Health Organization “gaming disorder” diagnosis. More scholars worried about both the DSM and WHO criteria over-pathologizing normal youth than weren’t worried about this. Scholars were likewise split over whether the DSM/WHO had precipitated moral panics over video games. Belief in pathological gaming was positively predicted by hostile attitudes toward children and negatively by participants’ experience with games. Overall results indicated continued significant disagreements among scholars related to pathological gaming. Claims of consensus are, at this juncture, likely premature