Internet Game Addiction Research Articles

Interdependent Effect of Impulsivity, Sensation Seeking and Addictive Behaviour Including Excess Gaming, Facebooking and Internet Abusing

Impulsivity has been shown to be related to both substance- and non-substance addictions. In the case of internet gaming addiction, on one hand, higher impulsivity and sensation seeking have been reported in problematic online gamers. On the other hand, problematic online gamers were also identified as introverted, socially anxious, and generally inhibited in social behaviour. This review study tried to investigate and correlate the role of dysfunctional impulsivity and sensation seeking in gaming addiction. Online gamers completed a questionnaire that was advertised online and targeted the core of the gaming community. Internet gaming addiction was measured using the Addiction-Engagement Questionnaire. Dysfunctional impulsivity was measured using the 11 items of Dickman’s (1990) sub-scale of the Impulsivity Inventory. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated for variables and a regression model was constructed using hierarchical linear regression to determine the association between online gaming addiction and dysfunctional impulsivity, while controlling for age, gender, and the frequency of online gaming. A set of chi-square tests were employed to compare the patterns of addiction criteria among highly impulsive addicted gamers and non-impulsive addicted gamers. Dysfunctional impulsivity was a good predictor of gaming addiction (β = .252) which actually explained only about 7% of the addiction variance. Problematic gamers high on impulsivity had similar patterns of addiction criteria as non-impulsive gamers, with only one exception – they had a significantly higher tendency to relapse. There was no role of impulsivity in gaming engagement. The results suggested that dysfunctional impulsivity is a risk factor for online gaming addiction (similar to other addictions), but it does not have prominent explanatory value in itself. Also the results show that problematic gamers high on impulsivity are more prone to relapse and reinstatement.

대학 기숙사생의 지각된 스트레스와 자살생각과의 관계에서 인터넷게임중독의 매개효과

본 연구는 대학 기숙사생이 지각하는 스트레스와 자살생각과의 관계에서 인터넷게임중독의 매개효과를 검증하였다. 연구 대상자는 K시 소재 대학교에 재학 중인 기숙사 거주 학생으로, 연구 참여에 동의한 761명의 자료가 최종 분석에 사용되었다. 자료 분석은 상관분석과 회귀분석 그리고 Sobel test를 실시하였다. 연구 결과, 첫째, 조사 집단의 인터넷게임중독에 대한 인구특성에서 성별, 학년별, 연령별 차이를 보이지 않았다. 둘째, 지각된 스트레스와 자살생각 및 인터넷게임중독은 모두 유의한 상관을 보이고 있었다. 셋째, 지각된 스트레스는 자살생각에 영향을 주고 있고 인터넷게임중독이 부분 매개하고 있음을 확인하였다. 본 연구 결과의 활용 방안과 향후 연구에 대해 논의하였다.

The Mechanism Underlying the Effect of Actual-Ideal Self-Discrepancy on Internet Gaming Addiction: a Moderated Mediation Model

With Internet games increasingly prevailing among adolescents over the last decade, Internet gaming addiction (IGA) draws more and more attention from scholars and practitioners, and a consolidating line of research has linked some psychological factors to IGA. To contribute to the understanding of the mechanism underlying the effect of self-discrepancy on IGA, this study adopted a cross-sectional design to examine the effects of actual-ideal self-discrepancy, avatar identification, and locus of control on gamers’ IGA risk. Data were collected over a 1-month period using a convenience sample of 508 university student gamers from three universities in Henan Province of China. The results of structural equation modeling analyses showed that avatar identification partially mediated the relationship between actual-ideal self-discrepancy and IGA among gamers; meanwhile, locus of control moderated the effects of actual-ideal self-discrepancy and avatar identification on IGA among gamers.

청소년 우울이 인터넷 게임중독과 SNS 중독경향성에 미치는 영향연구

청소년 우울이 인터넷 게임중독과 SNS 중독경향성에 미치는 영향연구

A Survey on the Cognitive Distortions on Gaming of Elementary School Students in Urban Areas

Objectives ： Recent research has found that teenagers with Internet game use disorders have cognitive distortions about game use and strive for continuous and excessive game activity. We revealed cognitive distortions by conducting a list of cognitive distortions and self-reported Internet game addiction scales with elementary school students. Methods ： A list of cognitive distortions on game use and Internet Gaming Use-Elicited Symptom Screen (IGUESS) were administered to 1,583 elementary school students and the results were analyzed statistically. Results ： The high-risk game user group showed more significant cognitive distortions than the casual user group. All four subtypes of cognitive distortion about gaming significantly correlated with IGUESS scores. Cognitive distortions of overvaluing and maladaptive rules accounted for IGEUSS scores significantly. Conclusion : The results of our study show the major cognitive distortions in the high-risk game user group, valuable as a variable of prospective follow-up observation and as a therapeutic tool for primary and secondary prevention of Internet game use disorder.

In Search of Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS)-Free Controls: The “Holy Grail” in Genetic Addiction Risk Testing

The search for an accurate, gene-based test to identify heritable risk factors for Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) was conducted based on hundreds of published studies about the role of dopamine in addictive behaviors, including risk for drug dependence and compulsive/impulsive behavior disorders. The term RDS was first coined by Blum's group in 1995 to identify a group of behaviors with a common neurobiological mechanism associated with a polymorphic allelic propensity for hypodopaminergia. To outline the process used to select risk alleles of reward genes for the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) test. Consequently, to address the limitations caused by inconsistent results that occur in many case-control behavioral association studies. These limitations are perhaps due to the failure of investigators to adequately screen controls for drug and alcohol use disorder, and any of the many RDS behaviors, including nicotine dependence, obesity, pathological gambling, and internet gaming addiction. Review of the literature related to the function of risk alleles of reward genes associated with hypodopaminergia relevant case-control association studies for the selection of alleles to be measured by the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) test. The prevalence of the DRD2 A1 allele in unscreened controls (33.3%), compared to "Super-Controls" [highly screened RDS controls (3.3%) in proband and family] is used to exemplify a possible solution. Unlike one gene-one disease (OGOD), RDS is polygenetic, and very complex. In addition, any RDS-related behaviors must be eliminated from the control group in order to obtain the best possible statistical analysis instead of comparing the phenotype with disease-ridden controls.

Factors Influencing Internet Game Addiction in Middle School Students

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors affecting internet game addiction in middle school students.Method/Statistical Analysis: The survey was conducted among 304 middle school students in G metropolitan city of Korea. The data were analyzed using frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, and hierarchical regression analysis.Findings: The results for the degree of middle school students’ internet game addiction showed that 67.1% were average users, 23.4% were potential risk users, and 9.5% were high risk users. The variables affecting internet game addiction were found to be anxiety, ego-resilience and gender. These three variables explained 15.9% of the internet game addiction in middle school students.Improvements/Applications: To prevent middle school students from being addicted to internet games, intervention strategies that focus on male students for reduction of anxiety and strengthening of ego-resilience are needed.

Dipendenze tecnologiche e rischio evolutivo. Confronto tra minori con background migratorio e minori italiani su prevalenza e correlati maladattivi

Abstract The Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has been included in the third section of the DSM-5 as a new behavioral addiction, related to some developmental risks such as depression, anxiety, attention disorders, social phobia, behavioural disorders, low academic performance. Similar to the IGD, the Internet Addiction (AI) has also been studied as a behavioral addiction related to an uncontrolled use of the Web for the purpose of mood modulation. The Internet Addiction has in turn been correlated with numerous devlopmental risks, both in terms of internalization and externalization. Given the vulnerability of migrant populations to behavioral addiction such as gambling disorder, it is important to check whether this vulnerability also includes technological dependencies: IGD and IA. The aims of the present study are: 1) to obtain prevalence data of IGD and IA in students with a migration background, 2) to highlight any maladaptive differences related to technological dependencies in minors with a migratory background. 528 students (673.3% females), aged between 9 and 20 years old (M = 15.76; DS = 2.176), and attending secondary schools of first and second grade in 4 Italian cities, participated to a specific survey on the topic. 9.7% of the students declared that they do not have Italian citizenship. The reserch tools were: VGA Questionnaire (VGA) to measure the Internet Gaming Addiction; Internet Addiction Test (IAT), to evaluate Internet addiction; Children’s Coping Strategies Checklist – Revised 1 (CCSC-R1) to measure coping strategies in difficult situations; Interpersonal Relationship Test (TRI) to estimate the quality of social relationships in different domains. 6.1% of students without Italian citizenship meet the diagnostic criteria for IGD, compared to 2.0% of Italian participants, while there is no statistically significant difference regarding internet addiction. 4.5% of males meet the diagnostic criteria for IGD, against 1.2% of females, while the situation is the opposite with regard to internet addiction: 12.2% for females versus 8.8% of males. Regression models show that being an migrant is a likely risk factor for IGD, along with distraction and avoidant coping strategies. On the contrary, migrant status appears no to be a risk factor for Internet addiction. The results of this study seem to indicate a higher prevalence of IGD in the student population with non-Italian citizenship and confirm that the migratory background appears to be a potential risk factor for the development of the disorder.

일상생활지장과 자아조절능력지장이 인터넷게임중독에 미치는 영향에 대한 연구

세계보건기구의 ICD-11 개정 이래 인터넷게임이용장애에 대한 사회적 담론의 수위가 높아지고 있다. 그러나 기존의 연구는 게임이용장애 혹은 중독에 대한 용어와 인과관계조차 혼재되어 있는 실정이다. 본 연구는 인터넷게임중독에 초점을 두고 만 16∼18세 고등학생을 대상으로 연구를 진행하였다. 분석 결과, 일상생활과 자아조절능력에 지장이 클수록 인터넷게임중독에 빠질 위험이 높은 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구는 전문의 자문과 설문을 통해 2차 검증을 실시한 연구로써 학술적, 실무적 의의를 가진다.

Measuring addiction to internet gaming among Indian medical students: Development and preliminary psychometric properties of a new scale.

Background:Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is emerging as an important source of behavioral addiction in young people globally.Objective:The aim of this study was to assess addiction to internet gaming in medical students using a self designed research instrument.Materials and Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study and enrolled 264 male and 160 female MBBS students (n = 424) in Delhi, India. The study instruments included: a 2-item Internet gaming screening questionnaire (IGSQ), a 14-item self-designed Internet gaming addiction scale (IGAS) to measure addiction-like behavior associated with multiplayer Internet gaming, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to measure sleep quality.Results:After preliminary screening, 91 male and 6 female participants were found to be multiplayer Internet gamers, and were further assessed using the 14-item IGAS. The Cronbach's alpha of the IGAS was 0.879. Principal component analysis revealed a three-component IGAS structure based on eigenvalue cutoff (>1), loading score >0.4, and inspection of the scree-plot that explained 66.71% of the total variance. The IGAS score and the average weekly gaming time of the participants showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.45, P < 0.001). Only 17 (4.0%) participants reported agreement/strong agreement across ≥5 domains of addiction. The mean (standard deviation) IGAS score was significantly higher in the participants reporting poor sleep quality (PQSI > 6) (P = 0.047).Conclusion:IGD has low prevalence among medical students, and the problem is negligible among female students. The 14-item IGAS, in conjunction with the 2-item IGSQ, are reliable and valid tools for the assessment of IGD.

청소년의 스포츠 활동과 인터넷 게임중독 간의 관계 : 성별, 운동흥미 및 운동능력 지각의 조절효과를 중심으로

본 연구의 목적은 청소년의 스포츠 활동과 인터넷 게임중독 간의 관계를 확인하고, 그 관계에서의 성별, 운동흥미 및 운동능력 지각의 역할을 검증하는 것이다. 연구 대상자는 남녀 고등학생 354명(남: 186명, 여: 168명)이었으며, 평균 연령은 16.96(SD=.68)세였다. 본 연구를 위하여 청소년의 자율적인 스포츠활동, 운동에 대한 흥미, 지각된 운동능력 및 인터넷 게임중독을 측정하였다. 삼원변량분석 결과, 청소년의 인터넷 게임중독에 대한 성별과 스포츠 활동의 주효과가 유의하였으며 성별과 스포츠 활동의 상호작용효과 및 성별과 운동흥미의 상호작용효과가 유의하였다. 단순주효과 분석에서는 남자 청소년에게서만 스포츠 활동이나 운동흥미 수준에 따라 인터넷 게임중독에 차이가 있었다. 인터넷 게임중독에 대한 청소년의 체육활동 참여와 운동흥미의 역할을 본 연구의 결과와 선행연구를 바탕으로 논의하였다.

Attachment style, stressful events, and Internet gaming addiction in Korean university students

The framework of addiction as an attachment disorder has been used widely in recent years to explain various technological addictions. However, research that explores the association between attachment and Internet gamining disorder is still limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential mediating effects of stressful events on the relationship between attachment styles and Internet gaming addiction. Three hundred and thirty-seven Korean university students in provincial South Korea participated in the study. The hypothesized model was tested using structural equation modeling. Results indicated that the relationships between attachment styles (both attachment anxiety and avoidance) and Internet gaming addiction were fully mediated by stressful events. These results contribute to understanding the etiology of gaming addiction and may guide development and delivery of treatment for problematic gaming behaviors.

Compulsive gaming in secondary school students from five Peruvian cities: Usage and addiction to the Pokémon GO game

Introduction:Some years ago, the Pokemon GO game became incredibly popular. However, no studies on the subject have been conducted in Peru involving vulnerable populations, such as adolescents.Objective:To determine if the number of hours playing the Pokemon GO game is associated with Internet and/or video game addiction, as well as to other factors in secondary school students from five Peruvian cities.Material and methods:Cross-sectional, analytical, and multi-centric study, with a sample of 944 school students. General characteristics, including socio-educational aspects, and Internet and/or video game addiction were analyzed, as well as variables related to the use of the game, such as problems at home, with teachers, accidents, and theft.Results:We found statistical associations between the assessed variables and increased playing time. 409 (44%) students had an Internet addiction, 215 (23%) were addicted to video games, and 336 (49%) spent a significant number of hours per day playing Pokemon GO. A greater number of hours playing Pokemon GO was associated with having a video game addiction (prevalence ratio (PR): 1,33; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-1.65), greater use of cell phone applications (PR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03), reprimand by parents (PR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.02-1.18), and reprimand for arriving late to class (PR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.07-1.18). On the other hand, students who played a greater number of video games used Pokemon GO by a lower number of hours (PR: 0,98; 95% CI: 0.97-0.99), adjusted by the respondent´s location.Conclusion:Higher usage levels of Pokemon GO were associated with having a video game addiction, greater use of phone applications, negative repercussions from parents, and reprimand for arriving late to class.

Technological Addiction in Adolescents: the Interplay Between Parenting and Psychological Basic Needs

Although technological addictions, similar to other behavioural addictions, share psychosocial risk factors with substance-related addictions, the studies on the interplay between contextual and personal variables in the prediction of technological addictions are still limited. For this reason, in accordance with Self-determination Theory (SDT), the aim of this study was to examine the integrated role of parental psychological control and parental autonomy with need satisfaction and need frustration in the understanding of technological addictions (Internet addiction, gaming addiction, smartphone addiction, and social network addiction) in adolescents. Using a sample of 482 adolescents (200 males) with an age range between 14 and 17, path analyses showed that both parental psychological control and need frustration predicted all the technological addictions examined. Furthermore, indirect effects from psychological control to all technological addictions through need frustration were also found. The findings are discussed in line with the SDT.

The Association Between Mobile Game Addiction and Depression, Social Anxiety, and Loneliness.

As a new type of addictive behaviors and distinct from traditional internet game addiction on desktop computers, mobile game addiction has attracted researchers' attention due to its possible negative effects on mental health issues. However, very few studies have particularly examined the relationship between mobile game addiction and mental health outcomes, due to a lack of specified instrument for measuring this new type of behavioral addiction. In this study, we examined the relationship between mobile game addition and social anxiety, depression, and loneliness among adolescents. We found that mobile game addiction was positively associated with social anxiety, depression, and loneliness. A further analysis on gender difference in the paths from mobile game addiction to these mental health outcomes was examined, and results revealed that male adolescents tend to report more social anxiety when they use mobile game addictively. We also discussed limitations and implications for mental health practice.

Adolescent Internet Gaming Disorder: A Narrative Review

This narrative review is based on a literature search on PsycINFO and PubMed that involved entering the terms adolescent internet gaming for papers published during the last five years. Following exclusion criteria, 72 papers could be classified as internet gaming or internet gaming disorder/addiction studies including research on the prevalence, effects/comorbidities, risk factors and interventions for those problems. The prevalence of both internet gaming and internet gaming disorder has varied by culture. The effects/comorbidities have included hyperactivity, inattentiveness, cyberbullying, depression, anxiety and substance use. The risk factor studies have focused on impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and aggressivity. Altered autonomic and central nervous system function have also been notable including decreased heart rate variability and fMRI data showing less activation of the prefrontal cortex, ventral striatum and amygdala (areas that are involved in modulating impulsivity, reward-seeking and aggression respectively) as well as reduced gray and white matter. Surprisingly, given the prevalence and severity of internet gaming disorder, very little prevention/intervention research appears in this recent literature. Research is also missing on peer relationships/rejection as potential risk factors. Like other literature on adolescent problems, this research is limited by primarily deriving from self–report and parent report and by the absence of longitudinal data that might inform whether the behavioral and brain data being reported are effects of or risk factors for internet gaming addiction.

The Mediating Effects of Affect on Associations between Impulsivity or Resilience and Internet Gaming Disorder.

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a new disease proposed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-5), and has been studied extensively in relation to depression and impulsivity. The relationship between resilience and disease has been found in a variety of addictive disorders, but studies on IGD are lacking. In this study, 71 IGD patients and 78 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Impulsivity, resilience, affects, and the degree of internet game addiction were measured using formal tools. The measured values were analyzed by mediation analysis to evaluate the mediating role of affects on resilience and impulsivity related to IGD symptoms. The IGD group showed higher impulsivity, lower resilience, lower positive affect, and higher negative affect than the HC group. The mediation analysis showed that a positive affect was a mediator between impulsivity and the severity of addiction in both groups. Negative affect mediated impulsivity/resilience and the severity of addiction only in the IGD group. Although the results of this study are based on a narrow category of subjects, who are young male adults around 25 years of age, the results suggest that positive affect can be strengthened to prevent the IGD illness, and that illness symptoms may be alleviated by reducing negative affect.

Efficacy of Short-term Treatment of Internet and Computer Game Addiction

Internet and computer game addiction represent a growing mental health concern, acknowledged by the World Health Organization. To determine whether manualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), using short-term treatment for internet and computer game addiction (STICA), is efficient in individuals experiencing internet and computer game addiction. A multicenter randomized clinical trial was conducted in 4 outpatient clinics in Germany and Austria from January 24, 2012, to June 14, 2017, including follow-ups. Blinded measurements were conducted. A consecutive sample of 143 men was randomized to the treatment group (STICA; n = 72) or wait-list control (WLC) group (n = 71). Main inclusion criteria were male sex and internet addiction as the primary diagnosis. The STICA group had an additional 6-month follow-up (n = 36). Data were analyzed from November 2018 to March 2019. The manualized CBT program aimed to recover functional internet use. The program consisted of 15 weekly group and up to 8 two-week individual sessions. The predefined primary outcome was the Assessment of Internet and Computer Game Addiction Self-report (AICA-S). Secondary outcomes were self-reported internet addiction symptoms, time spent online on weekdays, psychosocial functioning, and depression. A total of 143 men (mean [SD] age, 26.2 [7.8] years) were analyzed based on intent-to-treat analyses. Of these participants, 50 of 72 men (69.4%) in the STICA group showed remission vs 17 of 71 men (23.9%) in the WLC group. In logistic regression analysis, remission in the STICA vs WLC group was higher (odds ratio, 10.10; 95% CI, 3.69-27.65), taking into account internet addiction baseline severity, comorbidity, treatment center, and age. Compared with the WLC groups, effect sizes at treatment termination of STICA were d = 1.19 for AICA-S, d = 0.88 for time spent online on weekdays, d = 0.64 for psychosocial functioning, and d = 0.67 for depression. Fourteen adverse events and 8 serious adverse events occurred. A causal relationship with treatment was considered likely in 2 AEs, one in each group. Short-term treatment for internet and computer game addiction is a promising, manualized, short-term CBT for a broad range of internet addictions in multiple treatment centers. Further trials investigating the long-term efficacy of STICA and addressing specific groups and subgroups compared with active control conditions are required. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01434589.

Risk Factors of Internet Gaming Addiction in Adolescent: A Literature Review

Risk Factors of Internet Gaming Addiction in Adolescent: A Literature Review

Problematic interactive media use in teens: comorbidities, assessment, and treatment.

Problematic Interactive Media Use (PIMU), aka internet or video game addiction, is increasingly presenting to pediatricians for care. The majority of youth now use mobile media almost constantly to communicate, learn, and entertain themselves, but for some, uncontrolled video gaming, social media use, pornography viewing, and information-bingeing on short videos or websites contribute to functional impairment. PIMU can result in academic failure, social withdrawal, behavioral problems, family conflict, and physical and mental health problems. There is no formal diagnosis to describe the spectrum of PIMU behaviors and therefore no standardized therapeutic interventions. Anticipatory guidance will help identify youth at risk and empower parents to recognize and prevent problems. In addition, epidemiology and etiology indicate that Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), affective disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may predispose to and, in some cases, result from PIMU, offering opportunities for effective treatment by addressing underlying pathology that is manifesting itself in the interactive media environment. Efforts to establish evidence-based diagnoses, develop and evaluate therapeutic strategies, and to train clinicians in recognition and care of PIMU are reviewed.