Problematic Gaming Behavior Among Adolescents in Bangladesh.

There is a lack of estimates of prevalence rates of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and gaming disorder (GD) among young adults in Singapore. Consequently, the current study aimed to examine the prevalence rates of IGD and GD, and their relationships with known correlates. Participants were a representative sample of 1008 young adults in Singapore. They completed instruments that assess IGD, GD, gaming motivations, negative emotional states, and sleep quality. The results showed a prevalence rate of 10.3% for IGD and 5.0% for GD. Males had a higher IGD and GD prevalence rate (14.6% and 7.2%) than females (6.2% and 2.8%). Furthermore, participants with IGD or GD reported higher gaming time, and higher scores on gaming motivations, negative emotional states, and sleep quality than their counterparts with no IGD or GD. The higher prevalence rates in this study compared to other global studies suggest that problematic gaming is a social issue in Singapore. Known correlates relating to gender, gaming time, motivations, and emotions were confirmed in the current study. The finding that participants with IGD or GD had better sleep quality was inconsistent with previous studies and could be due to the use of a single item to assess sleep quality. Limitations include the use of a cross-sectional correlational design. Future research could develop and evaluate prevention programs or intervention programs to alleviate the symptoms and negative consequences of problematic gaming.

Existing literature has primarily evaluated how exposure to video game content impacts social and behavioral functioning. However, the parameters of video game engagement have expanded with multiplayer online gaming, live streaming, and community discussion on social media platforms. This study sought to examine how participation in online gaming communities is associated with problematic gaming behaviors and symptoms of Internet gaming disorder (IGD). A sample of 1176 gamers completed an online survey investigating game habits, community involvement, and gaming preferences as measured by both the Game Community of Inquiry Scale (GCoIS) and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short form (IGDS9-SF). Results from a multiple hierarchical regression indicated several predictors of problematic gaming, including both community attractiveness and community receptiveness. Moreover, data showed that younger gamers and non-normative gamers were more vulnerable to problematic gaming and more severe symptoms of IGD.

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is a recognized public health concern, particularly among young adults. Medical students in vocational colleges in China face a unique combination of high academic pressure and potential exposure to problematic gaming behaviors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of IGD and investigate its relationship with key psychological correlates, including depression, anxiety, and mental well-being, in this specific population. This cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 2021 to March 2025 in four vocational colleges in Sichuan Province, China. A total of 7,045 medical undergraduates provided valid survey responses, exceeding the calculated minimum sample size of 6,793. Participants completed standardized instruments, including the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Rigorous quality assurance was maintained through standardized participant training and data validation protocols, including a 5% random re-entry check with a conformity threshold of ≥ 95. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, multiple linear regression, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The study determined the prevalence of IGD (defined as IGDS9-SF ≥ 25) within the cohort. Regression analysis demonstrated that IGD severity was significantly and positively associated with symptoms of depression (PHQ-9: β = 0.310, t = 14.219, p < 0.001) and anxiety (GAD-7: β = 0.215, t = 8.103, p < 0.001). A strong bivariate correlation was observed between GAD-7 and IGDS9-SF (r = 0.388, p < 0.01). Conversely, higher IGD severity was found to be significantly associated with poorer mental well-being (WEMWBS scores). The final SEM further elucidated the direct and indirect complex pathways through which various demographic and psychological factors influence IGD severity. IGD is a prevalent issue among Chinese medical undergraduates in vocational colleges and is significantly linked to adverse mental health outcomes, including increased depression and anxiety symptoms. These findings emphasize the necessity of developing and implementing targeted mental health screening and intervention programs to address problematic gaming behaviors within vocational medical education settings. Not applicable.

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and Gaming Disorder (GD) have emerged as significant public health concerns, with studies highlighting their association with substance use. Research on IGD/GD faces challenges due to heterogeneous definitions and measurement tools. While the introduction of DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria for these behaviors improved research consistency, substance use patterns in individuals with IGD/GD, when defined strictly by these criteria, remain unexplored. Importantly, acomprehensive review of substance use patterns among individuals with IGD/GD based on DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria has never been conducted. This scoping review aims to map existing literature on substance use in individuals with IGD/GD, focusing on patterns, underlying mechanisms, and moderating factors influencing this relationship. The review adhered to the JBI manual for scoping reviews and PRISMA-ScR standards. A literature search was conducted in August 2025, inseven bibliographic databases, supplemented by citation tracking strategies. Inclusion criteria encompassed empirical studies published post-2013, using scales published after 2013, based on DSM-5/ICD-11 criteria for IGD/GD, and focusing on substance use. A total of 36 studies out of 5,561identified, predominantly cross-sectional, were included. Findings indicated a high co-occurrence of IGD/GD and substance use, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Shared risk factors such as impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and maladaptive coping strategies were identified. Alcohol, tobacco, stimulants, and cannabis emerged as the most commonly used substances, with variations across cultural contexts. Limited longitudinal data underscored the need for research on the progression and interaction of IGD/GD and substance use over time. The findings revealed that individuals with IGD/GD frequently engage in substance use, including alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and stimulants such as amphetamines. This review highlights critical mechanisms linking IGD/GD and substance use, emphasizing the role of behavioral reinforcement and emotional dysregulation. Future research should focus on longitudinal designs and protective factors to inform tailored prevention and intervention strategies. Systematic screening for substance use is warranted among individuals with IGD/GD.

BackgroundPrevious studies have indicated that social connectedness can serve as a protective buffer against negative outcomes associated with online victimization. However, the role of social connectedness between Internet gaming disorder and somatic symptoms is still unclear. This study aims to examine the mediating effect of social connectedness on the association between Internet gaming disorder and somatic symptoms.MethodsA cross-sectional design was utilized, using questionnaires for data collection and multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. The general demographic questionnaire, Nine-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form, Social Connectedness Scale-Revised and Patient Health Questionnaire Physical Symptoms were used to collect data. We adopted Pearson’s correlation analysis and the PROCESS Macro Model in regression analysis to explore the relationships among Internet gaming disorder, social connectedness and somatic symptoms.ResultsInternet gaming disorder was positively correlated with somatic symptoms (r = 0.20, P < 0.001), while network (r=-0.08, P < 0.001) and real-life social connectedness (r=-0.31, P < 0.001) negatively affected somatic symptoms. The network social connectedness and the real-life social connectedness played a chain mediating role in the development of Internet gaming disorder to somatic symptoms [95%CI: 0.073, 0.088], explaining 45.25% of the total effect value. The difference of real-life social connectedness and network social connectedness played a partial mediating role between Internet gaming disorder and somatic symptoms [95% CI:0.050, 0.062], accounting for 31.28% of the total effect value.ConclusionsReal-life social connectedness, network social connectedness, and their disparity all mediated the relationship between Internet gaming disorder and somatic symptoms. Real-life social connectedness acted as a protective factor, while network social connectedness served as a risk factor. Encouraging offline activities and guiding teenagers to use the internet responsibly may help prevent and reduce physical symptoms linked to Internet gaming disorder.

The rise of gaming as a dominant form of entertainment has raised global concerns over problematic use, prompting the need for culturally adapted assessment tools. This study investigates the psychometric properties of the Gaming Disorder Test (GDT) and the Gaming Disorder Scale for Young Adults (GADIS-YA) among Indian university students. A total of 454 participants completed the GDT, GADIS-YA, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). We assessed internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, and construct validity through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The GDT and GADIS-YA demonstrated good internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients at 0.88 and 0.93, respectively. CFA supported a one-factor structure for GDT and a two-factor structure for GADIS-YA. Measurement invariance was confirmed across gender and gaming time, with significant correlations observed with IGDS9-SF and DASS-21. These findings indicate that GDT and GADIS-YA have satisfactory psychometric properties among young Indian adults. The findings contribute to the growing body of evidence on gaming disorder (GD) prevalence and a reliable instrument for assessing it in India. Healthcare professionals can utilize the GDT and GADIS-YA to assess GD for preventing and reducing of gaming problem among young adults.

Introduction: Excessive video gaming is a problem between adolescent. COVID-19 increased this problem during the pandemic. This study aimed to assess how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the gaming behaviors of adolescents who engaged in excessive video gaming. Material and methods: Conducted between June and July 2021, this research constitutes the second phase of a pre-pandemic study involving adolescents aged 11–18 who had previously been identified as playing video games for more than two hours daily. In this phase, the same participants were re-evaluated during the pandemic to assess changes in their gaming habits and associated risk factors. Adolescents who played less than two hours per day served as the control group. Data collected included screen time, substance use, exercise and nutrition habits, and scores from the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form (IGDS9-SF), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI). Results: Among excessive video game players, both screen time (p &lt; 0.001) and daily exercise duration (p = 0.001) increased significantly during the pandemic. There was also an increase in the popularity of online multiplayer and fantasy games. Although excessive players scored significantly higher than the control group on the PSQI and IGDS9-SF, no significant difference was observed in CDI scores (p = 0.091). Conclusions: Despite the increase in screen time among excessive players, problematic gaming behaviors did not escalate. These participants had received at least one motivational interviewing session following their initial identification of problematic video gaming behavior in the first phase of the study. This intervention may have served as a protective factor against the potential negative effects of the pandemic on problematic gaming, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, and sedentary behavior.

As research on gaming disorder (GD) is growing globally, the need for a valid and reliable instrument to assess GD has become crucial. Therefore, the present cross-sectional study translated and evaluated the psychometric properties of Gaming Disorder Test (GDT) and Gaming Disorder Scale for Young Adults (GADIS-YA) into Malay language versions. The sample comprised 624 university students (females = 75.6%; mean age = 22.27 years) recruited via an online survey from May to August 2022, using a convenience sampling method. Participants completed both GDT and GADIS-YA scales and other relevant measures including Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), and time spent on social media and gaming. Results showed that both instruments reported satisfactory internal consistency, and confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor structure for GDT and two-factor structure for GADIS-YA. Both scales were strongly correlated with each other and with the IGDS9-SF, BSMAS, and time spent on social media and gaming, supporting concurrent validity. Measurement invariance of both scales was confirmed across gender and gaming time. These findings suggest that the Malay versions of GDT and GADIS-YA are reliable and valid measures of problematic gaming among Malaysian university students.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a humanities-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for adolescents aged 11-15 years exhibiting symptoms of problematic gaming, focusing on its impact on depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Elementary and middle school students with IGD symptoms were recruited and divided into a humanities-based CBT group (20 students) and a control group receiving supportive therapy (21 students). Participants' IGD symptoms and levels of depression, anxiety, and ADHD before and after the intervention were compared and evaluated. Verifying the effectiveness of the developed humanities treatment program showed a significant decrease in clinical scale scores indicating anxiety, ADHD, and IGD. In particular, the differences in IGD and anxiety scores between the intervention and control groups were significant, demonstrating the effectiveness of the humanities-based CBT program. Positive correlations were found between the pre-post scores for depression and IGD and between anxiety, depression, and IGD following the humanities-based intervention. In this study, experts in various fields developed a humanities-based CBT program for adolescents with problematic gaming behavior and verified its effectiveness, demonstrating that programs utilizing the humanities and writing can positively affect symptoms of IGD, anxiety, depression, and ADHD in adolescents. These findings indicate the need to verify the effectiveness of humanities-based therapy programs for adolescents in more diverse regions and age groups.

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has emerged as an increasing public health concern, particularly among adolescent and young e-sports players in recent years. The immersive and competitive nature of online gaming has been associated with an increase in mental health issues such as anxiety and insomnia among individuals with IGD. This study aims to examine the potential relationship between IGD, social anxiety, and insomnia, investigate the mediating role of social anxiety in this relationship, and explore the moderating role of physical activity in alleviating the negative effects of IGD. The study involved 475 adolescent and young e-sports players aged 14-24, who typically engage in an average of 6 h of gaming per day. Participants completed the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form, Social Anxiety Inventory, Insomnia Severity Index, and Physical Activity Frequency Question. Correlation and moderation analyses were used to examine the proposed relationships. The findings revealed significant positive associations between IGD, social anxiety, and insomnia. Moreover, physical activity demonstrated a negative correlation with both social anxiety and insomnia. Notably, physical activity served as a moderator in the relationship between IGD and both social anxiety and insomnia, with higher levels of physical activity attenuating the adverse effects of IGD. This study illuminates the intricate relationship between IGD, social anxiety, and insomnia among adolescent and young e-sports players. The findings suggest that promoting physical activity may alleviate the negative psychological implications associated with IGD. These results provide important insights for the formulation of targeted intervention strategies aimed at this demographic.

In recent years, the video game industry has introduced the possibility of buying virtual random goods (e.g., loot boxes) in electronic games using money through microtransactions, which are becoming more widespread and potentially akin to gambling. Although previous research has linked loot boxes with problematic gaming and gambling behaviors, there are very few studies that relate them to the clinical indicators of these problems. The overall goal of this study is to ascertain the prevalence of loot box purchasing behavior and its association with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and Online Gambling Disorder (OGD). A secondary objective is to develop and analyze the psychometric properties of the Problematic Use of Loot Boxes Questionnaire (PU-LB). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 6633 participants (4236 males, 63.9%, and 4123 minors, 62.2%) with an average age of 16.73 ± 3.40 in a range of 11–30 years. The Spanish versions of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) and the Online Gambling Disorder Questionnaire (OGD-Q) were used. A total of 2013 (30.4%) participants reported purchasing a loot box in the last 12 months (28.9% among minors). A person who had purchased a loot box in the last 12 months had a prevalence rate (PR) of 3.66 [95% CI 2.66, 5.05] of presenting an IGD, and a PR = 4.85 [IC 95% 2.58, 9.12] of presenting an OGD. The PU-LB exhibited adequate reliability and validity indicators and was positively and significantly related to loot box expenditure, IGDS9-SF, and OGD-Q scores. The results are further discussed, and practical implications and future lines of research proposed.

Many concerns have been raised regarding the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) criteria for Internet gaming disorder and International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11) criteria for gaming disorder. In this study, we demonstrated the diagnostic validity of each criterion for Internet gaming disorder in the DSM-5 in terms of their intensity and frequency thresholds and evaluated functional impairments, unhealthy behaviors and complications among adults with Internet gaming disorder and gaming disorder. We recruited 69 subjects with Internet gaming disorder, 69 regular gamers and 69 controls without regular gaming based on diagnostic interviewing conducted by a psychiatrist according to the DSM-5 Internet gaming disorder criteria. Except for the 'deceiving' and 'escapism' criteria, all criteria for Internet gaming disorder had a diagnostic accuracy ranging from 84.7% to 93.5% in differentiating between adults with Internet gaming disorder and regular gamers. A total of 44 participants with Internet gaming disorder (63.8%) fulfilled the gaming disorder criteria. In addition, 89% and 100% of the Internet gaming disorder and gaming disorder groups, respectively, had academic, occupational or social functional impairment. Both the Internet gaming disorder and gaming disorder groups had higher rates of delayed sleep phase syndrome and insomnia. The gaming disorder group also had a higher obesity proportion. The 'deceiving' and 'escapism' criteria had relatively lower diagnostic accuracy. Both the Internet gaming disorder and gaming disorder groups demonstrated functional impairments and unhealthy behaviors. They also exhibited complications, such as obesity and sleep disorders. These results support the utility of the DSM-5 Internet gaming disorder and ICD-11 gaming disorder criteria in identifying individuals who need treatment for both gaming addiction symptoms and complications resulting from the addiction.

In recent years, increased interest in Internet Gaming Disorder has led to the development of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form. Translation and subsequent validation of such a scale are important for cross-cultural use. The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties (factor structure, reliability, and validity) of the Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form using a sample of Malaysian undergraduates. The present sample included 137 Malaysian undergraduates. Participants completed a self-administered online survey containing demographic items, the Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form, the Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire-Short Form, and the Malay Version of the Internet Addiction Test. The present findings confirm the one-factor model of the Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form. Good reliability, as measured by Cronbach alpha, was found for the Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form. The Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form has demonstrated concurrent validity by significantly correlating with the Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire-Short Form as well as demonstrated convergent validity with respect to the Malay Version of the Internet Addiction Test. The Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form is a reliable and valid tool for assessing Internet Gaming Disorder in Malaysian undergraduates. As more research is still needed to confirm the status of Internet Gaming Disorder as a formal disorder, it is hoped that the Malay Version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form can facilitate future research examining antecedents and consequences of Internet Gaming Disorder in a Malaysian setting.

Internet addiction and Internet gaming disorders are increasingly prevalent. Whilst there has been much focus on the use of conventional psychological approaches in the treatment of individuals with these addictive disorders, there has also been ongoing research exploring the potential of cognitive bias modification amongst individuals with Internet and gaming addiction. Some studies have documented the presence of cognitive biases and the effectiveness of bias modification for Internet addiction and gaming disorders. However, there have not been any reviews that have synthesized the findings related to cognitive biases for Internet addiction and Internet gaming disorders. It is important for us to undertake a scoping review as an attempt to map out the literature for cognitive biases in Internet addiction and gaming disorders. A scoping review was undertaken, and articles were identified using a search through the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO. Six articles were identified. There were differences in the methods of ascertaining whether an individual has an underlying Internet or gaming addiction, as several different instruments have been used. With regards to the characteristics of the cognitive bias assessment task utilized, the most common task used was that of the Stroop task. Of the six identified studies, five have provided evidence documenting the presence of cognitive biases in these disorders. Only one study has examined cognitive bias modification and provided support for its effectiveness. Whilst several studies have provided preliminary findings documenting the presence of cognitive biases in these disorders, there remains a need for further research evaluating the effectiveness of bias modification, as well as the standardization of the diagnostic tools and the task paradigms used in the assessment.

Internet Gaming Addiction: Disorder or Moral Panic?