Internet Game Addiction Research Articles

Association between Internet Game Addiction and Social Anxiety Symptoms among Adolescents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: Internet Gaming Addiction (IGA) can have a significant impact on the characteristics of individual gamers and may even be a contributing factor to the development of social anxiety symptoms. This study of adolescent Saudi Arabian Internet gamers examined the influences of Internet gaming time and probable Internet Gaming Disorders (IGDs). It investigated the association between Internet game addiction and social anxiety symptoms among them. Methodology: The cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to June of 2023 among adolescents in the Saudi population. Probable IGD was measured by using the DSM-5 checklist, and the Arabic version of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) was used to evaluate social phobia or anxiety. Result: A total of 764 participants enrolled in the current study, 52% of whom were females, and 48% were males. 42% belonged to the age group 17-18, and 38% were 15-16. 44.8% of participants have a gaming addiction. There was a significant association between social phobia and gaming addiction (p-value ≤0.05). There was a significant association of social phobia with age and gender (p-value≤0.05). Conclusion: The findings imply a significant correlation between IGA and psychological concerns, particularly among male adolescents. Excessive internet gaming use leads to higher levels of social anxiety.

ASSOCIATION OF INTERNET GAMING ADDICTION WITH INDICATORS OF DEPRESSION ON THE HADS SCALE AMONG MEDICAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

In recent years advances in gaming technology and a significant increase in Internet connection speeds have made online games more attractive and accessible. According to the available literature, excessive involvement in this type of Internet content can lead to stress, depression, anxiety, personal problems and a significant risk of suicidal behavior. Numerous studies have reported high rates of depression among medical students worldwide, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to its formation. Purpose. To establish relationships between indicators of depression, determined by the HADS questionnaire, and Internet gaming addiction among students studying at a medical university. Materials and methods. The survey involved 244 boys and girls studying in the 3rd year of medical university. The presence of Internet gaming addiction, as well as the identification of depressive disorders with an assessment of the degree of their severity, was established using the Russian-language versions of the Game Addiction Scale for Adolescents (GASA) and The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires. Results. According to the data obtained, the presence of Internet gaming addiction was identified in 7,4% of the examined students. Among the surveyed male students, this type of Internet addictive behavior was more common (10,6%) compared to female students (6,2%). Indicators of depression of varying severity, determined by the HADS questionnaire, were identified in 16,0% of the examined students. Moreover, among female students the frequency of identified depression was higher (17,4%) compared to male students (12,1%). It was found that more than half of students with depressive disorders (55,6%) suffered from Internet gaming addiction. It was noted that the number of patients with depressive disorders in combination with this type of Internet addictive behavior was higher in comparison with persons without Internet gaming addiction, both among male students (57,1% vs 42,9%), and among girls (54,5% vs 45,5%), respectively. Conclusion. Relationships have been established between indicators of depression, determined by the HADS questionnaire, and Internet gaming addiction among students studying at a medical university.

The role of attentional control in moderating attentional bias towards game-related stimuli in individuals with a high tendency for internet gaming addiction.

The aim of this study was to elucidate individual difference factors that modulate the attentional processing of game stimuli to explain the heterogeneity of extant findings. The current study examined whether individual differences in components of attentional control (AC-shifting and AC-focusing) moderated the link between internet gaming addiction symptom and attentional engagement to and disengagement biases from game-relevant cues. A total of 75 male undergraduate students who have played League of Legend (LOL) for more than 2 years completed well-established self-report questionnaires of internet gaming disorder symptoms and attentional control. The attentional bias toward game stimuli was measured for attentional engagement and disengagement using the attentional response to the distal vs. proximal emotional information (ARDPEI) task. The results revealed that attentional control was a significant moderator of the relationship between internet game addiction symptoms and attentional disengagement bias. Further analyses revealed a positive relationship between internet game addiction symptoms and attentional disengagement bias only among those with low levels of AC-shifting ability. Contrary to our expectations, AC-shifting also moderated the relationship between internet gaming disorder and attentional engagement bias. The positive relationship between internet game addiction symptoms and attentional engagement bias only appeared among those with low levels of AC-shifting ability. Individual differences in AC-focusing did not moderate the relationship between internet gaming disorder and any attentional bias. This study confirmed that the greater the symptoms of game addiction, the stronger the attentional bias, especially in individuals with low AC-shifting ability. Therefore, it is necessary to examine sub-factors of AC in understanding the nature of attentional bias mechanisms in the development of internet game addiction and consider it as a psychological intervention to improve attentional bias.

Gender Differences in the Longitudinal Linkages between Fear of COVID-19 and Internet Game Addiction: A Moderated Multiple Mediation Model.

The COVID-19 outbreak has profoundly affected the psychological well-being of university students globally. Previous studies have found a positive longitudinal link between fear of COVID-19 (FoC-19) and internet addiction. However, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding COVID-19-specific predictors and underlying mechanisms of internet gaming addiction (IGA). Integrating the compensatory internet use theory and social role theory as frameworks, a three-wave longitudinal approach was used in this study to test the hypothesized model. Data spanning a duration of one year were gathered from undergraduate students in China. From 2021 to 2022, we conducted online self-report surveys in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to obtain participants' levels of FoC-19, loneliness, depressive symptoms, and IGA. FoC-19 showed a longitudinal positive relationship with IGA. The longitudinal link between FoC-19 and IGA was mediated by loneliness and depression. Gender moderated the direct effect of FoC-19 on IGA, with this effect being significant only among male students and not among their female counterparts. These findings advance our comprehension of the mechanisms and gender differences underlying the link between FoC-19 and IGA, and provide a novel perspective for interventions to reduce IGA.

Assessing Autistic Traits, Hikikomori Tendencies, Pathological Videogaming, and Eating Disorders in University Students: Are Pathological Videogaming and Eating Disorders Gender-Specific Manifestations of the Autism Spectrum?

In the previous literature, specific attention has been paid to investigate autism spectrum symptoms and traits in university students. In this framework, we aimed to evaluate the presence and correlates of autistic traits, hikikomori tendencies, altered eating behaviors, and pathological videogaming in a sample of Italian university students enrolled in bachelor's degree courses. A total of 1192 students were recruited via an online survey and assessed with the Hikikomori Questionnaire-25, the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum Questionnaire, the Eating Attitude test-26, and the Assessment of Internet and Computer Game Addiction. Our results highlighted significant differences in the prevalence of autistic traits, social withdrawal tendencies, altered eating habits, and pathological videogame use in university students based on gender, age, parents' level of instruction, and field of study. A significant effect of the presence of autistic traits and gender on the scores obtained with the other questionnaires was reported. Our results not only support the role of autistic traits as a vulnerability factor for the development of a set of psychopathological conditions but also suggest that gender could modulate this vulnerability, supporting the hypothesis of gender-specific phenotypes in the autism spectrum.

Analyzing psychological resilience in college students: A decision tree model

In the evolving landscape of higher education, particularly in the post-pandemic era, it is crucial for college students to face societal challenges and achieve success by understanding and predicting psychological resilience. To deepen our understanding of psychological resilience, this study used a decision tree model to explore influencing factors. We surveyed 776 college students and collected data on demographic information, self-esteem, sense of school belonging, pro-environmental behavior, subjective well-being, internet game addiction, life autonomy, and academic procrastination using several scales. The decision tree model identified eight key predictors of psychological resilience, which are as follows in order of importance: self-esteem, sense of school belonging, pro-environmental behavior, subjective well-being, academic procrastination, life autonomy, internet game addiction, and academic achievement. This model's accuracy reached 73.985 %, emphasizing its potential utility in educational settings. The findings not only provide a novel and data-driven perspective to understand psychological resilience in college students compared to existing research but also provide practical guidance for educational practitioners and policymakers on how to develop psychological resilience in college students.

Technological Addictions: The New Frontier in Addiction Psychiatry

IntroductionAddiction to video games, cybersex, internet gambling, social media, texting and emailing, and online auctions can be as addictive as substances. These technological addictions have real-world ramifications and lead to the loss of jobs, money, and loved ones. As technology becomes integrated into many facets of modern life, the appreciation of such addictions has become increasingly challenging. This session will explore the addictive potential of technology and discuss the legitimacy of technological addictions as psychiatric conditions worthy of medical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.Objectives1.List five forms of Technological Addictions as they appear in the scientific literature of 2023.2.Describe the psychology and culture surrounding Internet Gaming addiction.3.Distinguish between normal use and addiction.MethodsLecture and discussionResults1.Research on the phenomenology and nosology of these illnesses helps us further elucidate the distinction between problematic and nonproblematic use of technology, especially in children and young adults.2.Another area of new research involves emerging technologies. By the time clinicians get a firmer grasp of today’s ailments, the technology of tomorrow—such as virtual reality and smart devices powered by artificial intelligence—will be commonplace enough to bring about a host of new problems.ConclusionsThough data on the prevalence of technological addictions are sparse, most people use computers, tablets, and smartphones regularly with great benefits and no serious adverse consequences. We will need to be ready to guide our patients, our colleagues, and the general public on how to best handle technology with an eye on maximizing its enormous potential for fulfillment, gratification, and happiness while minimizing its significant risks for dissatisfaction, misery, and despair.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Comparing the effectiveness of game literacy education and game coding education in improving problematic internet gaming.

Problematic internet gaming by adolescents has been thought to be associated with low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and attention problems. We hypothesized that both game literacy and coding education would effectively improve problematic internet use. However, game coding education would be more effective in enhancing self-esteem and social anxiety in adolescents than game literacy education. A total of 733 adolescent volunteers were included and randomly assigned to either the game coding education or game literacy education programs. Both programs consisted of eight sessions, each lasting 45 minutes, over four weeks. The coding education sessions included game planning and development lessons and allowed students to create the game's characters, stages, and tutorials directly using Scratch, a free coding program. Game literacy education sessions included lessons on enjoying gaming with a healthy rationale and etiquette. Data on demographics, gaming patterns, and psychological status, including positive/negative perceptions of online games, depression, social anxiety, and self-esteem, were collected. Both game coding and game literacy education significantly improved YIAS scores compared to baseline, and there was no significant difference in the YIAS scores between the two groups after the interventions. In the hierarchical logistic regression analysis of all participants, higher YIAS scores, stronger negative perceptions of gaming, and lower attention problem scores at baseline predicted lower levels of internet gaming addiction after interventions. In the hierarchical logistic regression analysis among individuals with game coding education, higher YIAS scores, stronger negative perceptions of gaming, lower attention problem scores, and higher self-esteem scores at baseline predicted lower levels of internet gaming addiction after intervention. In addition, game coding education greatly improved negative perceptions of games, self-esteem, and social anxiety compared to game literacy education. Both game literacy and game coding education effectively mitigate internet game addiction. However, game coding education effectively mitigated problematic internet gaming by improving negative perceptions of games, self-esteem, and social anxiety in adolescents. We found that the application of knowledge by students in creating their own games was more effective than simply developing a conceptual understanding of the games.

Symptoms and functional impairments in patients with Internet Use Disorders participating in an online short-term therapy

BackgroundInternet use disorders (IUD) have been recognized as a serious mental health concern. In order to promote consensus on core features of IUD, further studies involving clinical samples are required. AimsA clinical evaluation of patients with IUD was conducted as part of the scientific monitoring of a novel online short-term therapy, embedded in the randomized controlled trial Stepped Care Approach for Problematic Internet use Treatment (SCAPIT; ID: DRKS00025994). MethodsAn online diagnostic and a clinical assessment were performed at the baseline measurement of the online intervention. The self-report version of the Assessment of Internet and Computer Game Addiction (AICA-S) was applied to assess symptom severity of IUD. The impact of psychopathological symptoms and impairments of functioning on IUD symptomatology was examined in the sample of patients. Based on a dichotomous classification of the symptom severity of IUD, differences among participants presenting moderate compared to severe addictive Internet behavior were analyzed. ResultsThe sample of this an analysis consisted of 57 patients (57.9% males, mean age of 29.12 years) participating in the online short-term therapy for IUD. Based on the AICA-S sum score (M = 11.60; SD = 3.30) participants exhibited moderate (n = 44; 77.2%) to severe (n = 13; 22.8%) symptoms of addictive Internet use. Psychopathological symptoms and impairments of psychosocial functioning had an effect on symptom severity of IUD. Participants with severe symptoms of IUD showed higher psychopathological strains compared to patients with moderate addictive Internet behavior. ConclusionsThe clinical evaluation of patients participating in a novel online short-term therapy for IUD indicated that psychopathological symptoms and impairments of functioning have an impact on addictive Internet behaviors and consequently, need to be addressed in the treatment of IUD. Based on the results, further implications for clinical practice and research on addictive Internet behavior are derived.

Internet/Video Gaming: The Relevance of a New Phenomenon in the Youth.

The high level of technological growth in contemporary society, beside benefits, provokes different kinds of damages, especially among the worldwide youth population. World statistics have recognized that video and internet game addiction is a growing problem. In this context, it is supposed that 0.3 to 1.0 percent of the general population might be qualified as a potential sufferer of internet gaming disorder. However, youth between 18-34 years are the highest risk population. New research has shown the need of early identification of at-risk young people for internet addiction. Adverse experience in children of different forms of stress, negative life circumstances and especially negative, hostile parenting can lead to depression, social and cultural problems, together with significant boredom and loneliness levels. These are all confirmed to be related with addictive behaviour. Some neural correlates are discussed as the possible background of game addiction. Finally, therapeutic possibilities are presented.

Impulsivity and aggression as risk factors for internet gaming disorder among university students

Internet gaming addiction is a global problem, especially among young individuals. Exhibiting characteristics similar to other addictions, Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is linked to adverse mental health outcomes. Identified as risk factors for dependence behaviors, the association of impulsivity and aggression with IGD is relatively under-researched in the student population. The present sample of 350 university students (Mage = 21.30 years, SDage = 4.96 years) from Najran university in Saudi Arabia completed an online questionnaire that included the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire-Short Form, and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-15). Results indicated that impulsivity and aggression were positively associated with IGD severity and both personality traits explained 34.6% of the variance in IGD scores. Further bivariate analyses suggested that individuals spending 7 or more hours on internet gaming were more likely to exhibit high impulsivity and aggression, and had a relatively higher severity of IGD. These results suggest that individuals with these personality traits may be more vulnerable to developing an addiction to internet gaming. These findings need to be confirmed in future more robust studies; however, this exploratory study provides insights for potential programs to prevent IGD among young individuals.

Effect of new coumarin derivatives on the impulsive and compulsive components of gambling addiction in rats

BACKGROUND: The search for new neuroactive compounds that selectively affect the mechanisms of emotional reinforcement in gambling addiction is of interest. No previous studies have examined the effects of coumarins on gambling addiction.
 AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of new coumarin derivatives on the impulsive and compulsive components of gambling addiction in rats.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of drugs on elements of gambling addiction were assessed in rats in the “marble burying” test and “probability and magnitude of reinforcement” in the three-arm maze, a version of the Iowa test. The effects of the following six coumarin derivatives were assessed: LVM-091, LVM-092, LVM-096, LVM-099, LVM-S144, and IEM-2886.
 RESULTS: In the “burrowing balls” test, substances synthesized based on coumarins LVM-092, LVM-099, LVM-S144, and IEM-2886 reduced the level of compulsivity, reducing the number of buried balls compared with the control and diazepam groups (p ≤ 0.05). In the “probability and magnitude of reinforcement” test, after the administration of drugs LVM-091, LVM-099, LVM-S144, and IEM-2886, the level of impulsivity and risk behavior decreased, reducing the number of animals entering the sleeve with the greatest reinforcement and its low probability.
 CONCLUSIONS: New coumarin derivatives cause an anticompulsive effect and reduce the impulsivity level in rats, which in the future can be used for treating obsessive–compulsive disorders and addictive conditions, such as Internet addiction and gaming addiction.

The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Internet Game Addiction among Adolescents in Aceh Indonesia

The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Internet Game Addiction among Adolescents in Aceh Indonesia

The Effects of Equine-Assisted Learning on Adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder

During the COVID-19 pandemic, internet gaming became more popular as a way to cope with stress, but excessive gaming can lead to mental health issues like internet gaming disorder (IGD). IGD has serious consequences, especially among children and young adults, and the gaming industry’s profits continue to grow. This study aims to understand the mental and behavioral health of adolescents with IGD participating in an equine-assisted learning (EAL) program and assess the changes in their addiction tendencies and emotional and behavioral problems. The results showed that the participants’ tendency towards internet gaming addiction and emotional and behavioral problems decreased immediately after the EAL program, but they rose again a month later. This suggests the importance of ongoing program involvement. As COVID-19 restrictions ease worldwide, this study highlights the increasing risk of IGD. It suggests that EAL could be a valuable approach to treating behavioral addictions, including gaming addiction. While prior research has shown the effectiveness of EAL in treating substance addiction, more research is needed to explore its potential in treating various types of addictions, such as gambling or gaming addictions.

Low self-control, perceived social support and internet gaming addiction: findings from an ethnicity minority region in China.

Adolescent Internet gaming addiction (IGA) is an pincreasing global concern. Drawing on self-control theory, social support theory, and problem behavior theory, this study aimed to examine the relationships between low self-control, perceived social support, and IGA among Chinese Yi and Non-Yi adolescents, with a focus on the moderating role of perceived social support and ethnic differences. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,997 adolescents (53.78% female, mean age 14.70 years) in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China, using a multi-stage cluster random sampling method. Participants completed questionnaires assessing IGA (Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form), low self-control (Low Self-Control Scale), and perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, OLS regression, and the seemingly unrelated estimator (SUE). Low self-control was positively associated with IGA (β = 0.35, p < 0.001), while perceived social support was negatively associated with IGA (β = -0.27, p < 0.001). Perceived social support, particularly from family (β = -0.43, p < 0.05) and significant others (β = -0.49, p < 0.01), moderated the relationship between low self-control and IGA. These associations were more salient among Yi adolescents compared to non-Yi adolescents. This study highlights the protective role of perceived social support, especially from family and significant others, in buffering the risk of low self-control on IGA. The findings extend self-control theory and social support theory, and provide empirical support for problem behavior theory in a cross-cultural context. The results underscore the importance of considering cultural contexts in understanding IGA and developing targeted interventions for ethnic minority adolescents.

An investigation of computer-game addiction, physical activity level, quality of life and sleep of children with a sibling with a chronic condition.

It is known that chronic condition also affects siblings without chronic illness. Healthy siblings of children with a chronic condition and aged 9-14 years and healthy children with a sibling without chronic illness and their parents were included in the study. The aim of our study was to examine the internet-game addiction, physical activity, quality of life and sleep in children with a sibling with chronic condition and compare them with their peers with a healthy sibling. Computer game addiction, physical activity, sleep quality and quality of life were evaluated respectively by Computer Game Addiction Scale for Children, Child Physical Activity Questionnaire, Children's Sleep Disorder Scale and Children's Quality of Life Scale. While the mean age of 75 children with chronically ill siblings was 10.65 ± 1.59 years, the mean age of 75 healthy children with healthy siblings was 10.46 ± 2.09 years. It was observed that children with a sibling with a chronic condition were more tend to computer-game addiction, had lower sleep quality, lower quality of life in terms of school functionality and psychosocial health compared to children with a healthy sibling (p < 0.05). It was revealed that in families with children with a chronic condition, siblings with no health problems should also be evaluated in psychosocial terms and supported by appropriate approaches, such as to increase the level of physical activity.

키워드 네트워크 분석을 활용한 청소년 게임중독 연구동향 분석

The purpose of this study is to suggest the direction of future studies on the prevention and treatment of gaming addiction by analyzing the trends in research related to gaming addiction for the last 10 years. To accomplish this purpose, this study analyzed publication trends in research related to gaming addiction by examining 175 studies published between 2013 and 2023. Particularly, a keyword network analysis was conducted using keywords extracted from these studies. The main results are as follows. First, the results of the keyword frequency analysis indicate that the most frequently occurring terms in the 175 publications are, in descending order, ‘adolescent’, ‘gaming addiction, ‘Internet gaming addiction’, ‘depression’, and ‘aggression.’ Second, the results of the TF-IDF analysis demonstrate that keyword weights of 42 keywords were high, listed in the following order: ‘Internet gaming addiction’, ‘gaming addiction’, ‘adolescent’, ‘aggression’, and ‘depression.’ Third, the results of the keyword network centrality analysis indicate that the keywords with high degree centrality, closeness centrality, betweenness centrality were ranked as follows: ‘gaming addiction’, ‘adolescent’, ‘Internet gaming addiction’, ‘depression.’ Based upon these results, this study proposes directions for future research on the prevention and treatment of gaming addiction.

LITERATUR REVIEW: PENGGUNAAN GAME ONLINE SEBAGAI STRATEGI KOPING DESTRUKTIF DI MASA PANDEMI COVID-19

As the internet age is growing rapidly, one of the benefits of the development of the internet is for entertainment facilities, for example to play online games. Online games are an audio and visual based game that is played over the internet network. Objective : To find out if the use of online games during the COVID-19 Pandemic is a destructive coping state. Methods : The source of the article used is through a database search google scholar, science direct and elsiver. Article searches are restricted from 2016 to 2021. The keywords used in the article searches are "online gaming", "internet gaming addiction" and "COVID-19 pandemic". This Literature Review uses 15 articles that fit the inclusion criteria. Results: Online gaming or online games from reviewed research greatly have a negative impact on online gaming users, because not always online games are useful and pose a lot of risks. Conclusion: The use of online games during the COVID-19 pandemic is a destructive coping strategy because the use of online games is not always beneficial and can pose many risks that negatively impact excessive gaming such as endangering mental health, sleep patterns, or physical health

Internet gaming disorder and its varied impacts on adolescent age group

This comprehensive review article examines the multifaceted impacts of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) or gaming addiction on individuals, with a particular focus on adolescents and young adults. It begins by defining IGD based on criteria from the American Psychiatric Association and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The review highlights the global prevalence of IGD among adolescents, emphasizing the need for further research and intervention strategies to address this growing concern. It delves into the psychological impacts, including depression, anxiety, cognitive impairments, social isolation, and poor impulse control. The behavioral impacts encompass irritability, academic problems, social withdrawal, financial issues, poor time management, and neglect of responsibilities. Additionally, the review discusses the familial and parental impacts, such as strained family relationships, insecure attachments, family environment disruption, conflicts, and weakened family bonds. The physical health impacts are explored, including sedentary behaviors, sleep disturbances, musculoskeletal problems, dietary issues, and eye strain. Overall, this review underscores the complex and far-reaching consequences of IGD, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue to promote the well-being of affected individuals.

Relation between Internet Gaming Addiction and mental issues in Chinese young adults

The rising dependency on video games is increasingly posing substantial social and therapeutic challenges and can be diagnosed as a disease. Extensive research in the past has explored the relationship between game addiction and various mental problems, but there is limited research in this area in Chinas cultural environment. This study explored the impact of depression, aggression, and perceived stress on Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) among young adults in China with Spearman analysis and multiple linear regression. This paper hopes to contribute to solving the increasingly common IGD (Internet gaming addiction). Findings revealed a positive correlation between depression, aggression, and IGD, with both depression and aggression serving as significant predictors. Yet, there wasnt a significant correlation between perceived stress and IGD. The model elucidates 20.5% of the variance in gaming dependency, underscoring the multifaceted nature of IGD and hinting at the presence of a myriad of other contributing determinants. These results underscore the importance of considering mental health in identifying and addressing IGD, while also highlighting the need for further research, particularly regarding cultural differences in stress coping mechanisms and deciding the causal relationship between mental issues and IGD.