Internet Gaming Research Articles

Social support as the mediator for the relationship between internet gaming disorder and psychological problems among university students

BackgroundThere has been increasing recognition of internet gaming disorder as a psychiatric problem that is linked with serious impairment and distress and correlated with psychological reactions and social consequences. Thus, this study proposed that psychological problems (stress, anxiety, and depression) and social support could be associated with IGD and social support had a mediating role between these psychological problems and IGD among university students in Jordan. MethodsA cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was adopted. The university students (N = 1020) were selected randomly from four universities (two public and two private) in Jordan. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data using the Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGD-20 Test), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), Multidimensional Social Support Scale (MSPSS), and sociodemographic data. FindingsFindings of this study found that the mean age of the participants was 21.38 (S.D ± 2.12) and 55.9% of them were males The prevalence of internet gaming disorder was 12.16% among the participants, where the cut-off point for internet gaming disorder was 71 out of 100. Internet gaming disorder was significantly correlated with stress, anxiety, social support, and depression. However, stress, anxiety, and social support had a direct effect on internet gaming disorder, while social support had the strongest effect on internet gaming disorder. It was found that social support had a mediating role between anxiety and stress (β = −0.172, T-Statistics = 3.92, p < 0.001; β = −0.268, T-Statistics = 5.45, p < 0.001, respectively) and internet gaming disorder (p < 0.001). ConclusionThis study can help policymakers and instructors develop health education programs and/or health training programs that focus on using social support as a coping method when experiencing psychological problems including stress and anxiety and adopt social support in management programs for excessive use of internet gaming.

Whether and How Parental and Friends’ Internet Gaming Behaviors May Affect Adolescent Internet Gaming Disorder Symptoms: the Cognitive and Behavioral Mechanisms

Whether and How Parental and Friends’ Internet Gaming Behaviors May Affect Adolescent Internet Gaming Disorder Symptoms: the Cognitive and Behavioral Mechanisms

Prevalence of problematic Internet use and problematic gaming in Spanish adolescents

Epidemiological studies on problematic Internet use and problematic gaming conducted so far have mainly been carried out with unrepresentative and self-selected convenience samples, resulting in unreliable prevalence rates. This study estimates the prevalence of problematic Internet use and problematic gaming in a large sample of Spanish adolescents (N = 41,507) and identifies risk and protective factors for these risky behaviours. Data were collected online using the Adolescent Problem Internet Use Scale and the Adolescent Gaming Addiction Scale. Using a cut-off approach with measurement instruments inspired by the DSM-5 framework, we found a prevalence of 33% for problematic Internet use and 3.1% for problematic gaming. With a more conservative approach inspired by the ICD-11 framework, prevalence rates decreased to 2.98% for problematic Internet use and 1.8% for problematic gaming. Female gender, higher parents’ education, elevated Internet connection time, reporting being online after midnight and using the mobile phone in class predicted problematic Internet use; whereas male gender, “living situation” where families do not have a traditional structure or stable environment, elevated Internet connection time and reporting using the mobile phone in class predicted problematic gaming. A cut-off approach involving scales that recycle substance use criteria (as in the DSM-5) over-pathologize Internet use and gaming behaviours. In contrast, the ICD-11 approach seems to provide more realistic and reliable prevalence rates.

Sluggish cognitive tempo (Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome) symptoms are more associated with a higher risk of internet addiction and internet gaming disorder than ADHD symptoms: A study with medical students and resident doctors

Background & AimsThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT), demographic factors, and Internet Addiction (IA) and internet gaming disorder (IGD) among medical students and resident doctors. MethodsThe study included 274 medical students and resident doctors. (Ages:18–35, 70.4% female). Fisher exact test, Contingency Table analyses, Mann Whithey-U Test and structural equation model-path analysis were used for analysis. The Sociodemographic Information Form, ASRS Scale, Barkley SCT Scale, Young Internet Addiction Test-Short Form and The Digital Game Addiction Scale were utilized to collect data. ResultsIn the sample, 48 participants (17.51%, 22 female, 26 male) were classified as having a high-risk internet gaming disorder (IGD+), while 53 participants (19.3%, 37 female, 16 male) were classified as having a high-risk internet addiction (IA+). SCT Scale Daydreaming and Sluggishness scores, as well as ASRS Scale Inattention and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity ratings, were all substantially higher in high-risk groups (for all, p < 0.05). Instead of age, there was no difference between high and low-risk groups, but men had a significantly greater rate of high risk- IGD (%32.1 vs. 11.4; p = 0.001).Path analysis revealed that while older age has a substantial negative effect (β = −0.37, p = 0.001) on increased risk of IA, Inattention (β = 0.19, p = 0.028), Daydreaming (β = 0.62, p0.001), and Sluggishness ( β = 1.12, p0.001) had significant positive effects. On the other hand, results revealed that male gender (β = 5.08, p0.001), IA scores (β = 0.21, p0.001), and only Sluggishness ( = 0.52, p = 0.002), but not Inattention, Hyperactivity/impulsivity, or Daydreaming, have positive effects on greater risk of internet gaming disorder (IGD). Conclusion & ImplicationsOur study is the first to show that SCT symptoms increase the risk of Internet addiction and Internet Gaming Disorder even when ADHD symptoms are controlled. To date, many research have highlighted the necessity of ADHD treatment when evaluating IA and IGD. However, SCT symptoms have a greater impact on people who are predisposed to these behavioral addictions, and despite high comorbidity rates, various treatment approaches for ADHD and SCT are effective. SCT should be kept in mind when assessing treatment-resistant individuals with IA and IGD.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Internet Gaming Disorder Among Female Secondary School Students in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This study measured the prevalence and potential risk factors of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) among female secondary school students in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and February 2023. A total of 400 female secondary school students in Al-Ahsa were recruited through multistage stratified cluster sampling. Data were collected by distributing a self-administered questionnaire among students. A chi-squared test was performed to compare categorical variables. The associations between IGD, depression, and anxiety scores were determined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Among the total sample, 282 were classified as "gamers" and included in our analysis. The prevalence of IGD was found to be 19%. We also found a statistically significant and moderately positive correlation between IGD and anxiety and depression scores. Spending more than four hours daily playing video games, starting to play video games at less than seven years of age, having depression, having anxiety, and playing an online game were found to be potential risk factors for IGD. IGD among female adolescent students in Al-Ahsa is a public health concern that requires attention from the concerned parties. Health education projects on IGD, its risk factors, and its consequences should be designed for adolescents and their families.

Internet gaming addiction among children and adolescents with non-suicidal self-Injury: A network perspective

BackgroundInternet gaming addiction is a growing global concern and mental health burden. Currently, no study has examined Internet gaming addiction among individuals with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). This study aims to examine the epidemiology, correlates, and network structure of Internet gaming addiction among children and adolescents with NSSI in China. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted in Guangdong Mental Health Center, China, from Dec 2019 to Dec 2021. The 13-item Chinese Internet gaming addiction scale, SAS, SDS, and UCLA loneliness scale were adopted to evaluate patient's internet gaming addiction, anxiety, depression and loneliness. Univariate analyses, multivariate logistic regression, and network analysis were conducted. ResultsA total of 110 children and adolescents with NSSI behaviors participated in the study, and 45 (40.9%) of them reported Internet gaming addiction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male participants (OR = 6.047, P = 0.001) and those living on campus (OR = 2.677, P = 0.039) were more likely to suffer from Internet gaming addiction. Network analysis revealed that item1 (‘Always thinking about online games when not playing’), item6 (‘Clearly aware of the dangers of online games but fail to stop’), and item3 (‘Moody / anxious / agitated / angry while not playing’) were core symptoms for the identification of Internet gaming addiction, while item9 (‘loss of interest’), and item13 (‘deceiving’) were the least influential symptoms in the network. ConclusionsInternet gaming addiction was prevalent among children and adolescents with NSSI. ‘Preoccupation’, ‘Unsuccessful attempts to control playing’, and ‘Withdrawal’ were of key importance for identifying Internet gaming addiction. Ongoing clinical care and targeted interventions to address these symptoms (e.g., strengthening self-control) may be important for reducing the risk of Internet gaming addiction in children and adolescents with NSSI.

Metacognitive beliefs and anxiety symptoms could serve as mediators between fear of missing out and gaming disorder in adolescents

Given the vulnerability to and prevalence of emotional problems and Internet gaming disorder (IGD) in adolescents, this study aimed to test the effects of fear of missing out (FoMO) on IGD and the mediating roles of metacognitive beliefs and anxiety symptoms based on the self-regulatory executive function (S-REF) model. At a Chinese high school, 283 participants (Mage = 16.89 years old; girls = 42.0%) with past-year gaming experience voluntarily completed an anonymous paper-and-pencil questionnaire. FoMO showed significant, positive associations with IGD, anxiety symptoms, and metacognitive beliefs. Results of path analysis showed a significant direct effect of FoMO on IGD, whereas anxiety symptoms mediated the relationship between FoMO and IGD. The indirect effects of FoMO on IGD via serial mediations of three negative metacognitive beliefs (i.e., negative beliefs about worry, low cognitive confidence, and beliefs regarding need for control) and anxiety symptoms were also statistically significant. These findings demonstrated that maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and anxiety are risk-enhancing mediators in the relationship between FoMO and IGD. Therefore, metacognitive therapy, particularly for regulating those three specific significant metacognitive beliefs, is recommended for treating IGD and anxiety, especially for those with higher levels of FoMO.

Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying Victimization Independently Predict Changes in Problematic Internet Gaming in a Longitudinal Sample

PurposeBullying and problematic Internet gaming (PIG) are two concerning phenomena among adolescents. Research suggests an association between them; however, longitudinal studies are scarce. Therefore, this study examined whether traditional and cybervictimization are prospective risk factors for PIG and how gender, school type, and age influence these relationships. MethodsAdolescents (grades 5–13; N = 4,390) answered two surveys one year apart which were linked by individual codes. They were classified as “victims” based on the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire-Revised. Changes in PIG (T2-T1) were computed based on nine items reflecting the diagnostic criteria for DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder. ResultsTraditional and cybervictimization independently predicted changes in PIG. The emergence of traditional victimization only, cybervictimization only, and particularly, both forms of victimization simultaneously, was associated with an increase in PIG. A decrease in PIG was only found if victimization terminated in both contexts. Further, an additive effect was found if traditional victimization newly extended to cyberspace. For boys and B-level students, the emergence of traditional victimization was associated with a larger increase in PIG than for girls and A-level students, when compared to the absence of traditional victimization. For boys, this also applied for cybervictimization. DiscussionThe emergence of bullying victimization in either an offline or online context appears to be a risk factor for PIG. Importantly, victimization must be stopped in both contexts for a decrease in PIG. Therefore, prevention programs need to focus on bullying offline as well as online to counter PIG. Efforts should especially focus on boys and B-level students.

Why do adults seek treatment for gaming (disorder)? A qualitative study

Despite gaming disorder now being diagnosable by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as a new mental disorder due to addictive behaviors, little is known about the concrete reasons for which people seek treatment for their videogame play. As the current literature is mainly based on children and adolescents, there is a strong need for better understanding adult treatment-seekers in particular. This preregistered study responds to the gap in research by qualitatively investigating the reasons for treatment-seeking with 110 participants who had sought help for their videogame play from a Finnish treatment program. We applied template analysis to the open-ended data, which consist of the participants’ personal accounts regarding their problems. Additionally, we report the game titles that the participants had problems with, as well as Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10) scores, which were measured from 89 participants. The template analysis suggested five themes, which cover the main reasons for treatment-seeking: social reasons, existential reasons, practical reasons, self-perceived addiction, and wish for support. Many of these themes overlap with the ICD-11 description of gaming disorder, but several issues, such as loss of meaning and financial harms, are not part of the current diagnosis. The average IGDT-10 score among participants was 3.86 (SD = 2.55) and 37 (42%) individuals met the disorder cutoff (5.00). Numerous videogames with different designs were mentioned as sources of problems, of which 26 were mentioned more than once. The study indicates that adults seek treatment for many kinds of games and gaming-related problems, including but not limited to those, which are described part of the ICD-11 gaming disorder diagnoses. We recommend both researchers and practitioners to implement an expanded perspective on gaming behaviors, acknowledging that adults may seek treatment for diverse gaming-related problems, some of which not necessarily relevant to gaming disorder or mental disorders in general.

Brain structural alterations in internet gaming disorder: Focus on the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system

AimsThis study aimed to identify gray/white matter volume (GMV/WMV) alterations in Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), with a special focus on the subregions of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system and their clinical association. ResultsCompared with healthy controls, IGDs showed bigger GMV in the bilateral caudate and the left nucleus accumbens (NAc), and bigger WMV in the inferior parietal lobule. The comparison of regions of interest (ROI) confirmed increased GMV in the bilateral caudate (including the dorsal anterior, body, and tail) and the left core of NAc in IGD, but no significant WMV alterations in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system. GMVs in the left lateral orbital gyrus of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) were associated with craving for games, while GMVs in the left anterior insula, right NAc, right caudate, and right OFC were associated with self-control in IGD. ConclusionsIGD was accompanied by changed GMV, but not WMV, in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system. GMV in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system may contribute to impaired self-control and craving in IGD.

Positive youth development attributes, mental disorder, and problematic online behaviors in adolescents: a longitudinal study amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents have increasingly suffered from online problem behaviors and mental disorders. But little research has paid attention to the protective factors among adolescents. Therefore, the present study attempted to investigate the role of positive youth development (PYD) attributes in adolescents' depression, internet gaming disorder (IGD) and cyberbullying/victimization (CBV). A total of 995 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 15.97 years, SD = 0.77, 325 boys) from two public high schools in Hubei province were recruited to participate in the three-wave longitudinal study over the span of 1 year during the pandemic (Time 1: November, 2020; Time 2: May, 2021; Time 3: November, 2021). T1 PYD attributes negatively predicted T2 depression and T3 online problematic behaviors. T2 depression positively predicted IGD at T3. T3 IGD significantly predicted greater involvement in T3 CBV, and vice versa. Moreover, depression and one online problem behavior mediated the relationships between PYD attributes and the other online problem behavior, separately and sequentially. These findings demonstrated the protective role of PYD attributes in prevention of mental disorders and online problem behaviors among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comprehensive measures should be taken to assist young people to develop more PYD attributes to promote healthy growth.

A New Short Version of Internet Gaming Disorder-20: An Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling.

The purpose of this paper was to contribute to the psychometric properties and dimensionality of the IGD-20. An online survey was completed by 392 Italian online gamers (Mage = 29.2, SD = 11.3; 45.2% males). A battery of self-report questionnaires was administered to assess internet gaming disorder, internet addiction, loneliness, anxiety, depression, stress, social-interaction anxiety, self-esteem, and perceived social support. To test the factor structure of IGD-20, both traditional (i.e., EFA and CFA) and innovative (i.e., ESEM) techniques were applied. Convergent, concurrent, discriminant, and criterion-related validity were evaluated. Our study revealed the outperforming 3-factor ESEM model (χ2=39.951, p = 0.0021; RMSEA = 0.056, 90% C.I. [0.032 - 0.079]; CFI = 0.986; TLI = 0.965; and SRMR = 0.017; ω = .76, .77, and .79, respectively) as a new short version (IGD-10SV) for the IGD-20. The validity of the IGD-10SV was supported by significant associations with theoretically related measures. The current findings support the adoption of the analytic ESEM approach for complex multidimensional measures and the use of the IGD-10SV for the assessment of internet gaming disorder.

Prevalência do transtorno do jogo pela internet e seus correlatos psicológicos

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD) symptoms in a sample of Brazilian adults, and its association with personality, psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial measures. Methods We evaluated 219 adults online recruited using questionnaires and psychometric scales. We evaluated the behavior and pattern of internet games using the Game Addiction Scale (GAS). We tested the association of the previous measures with the GAS scores by spearman correlations and multiple regression analysis. Results Of our sample, 74% played games online. We found correlations between IGD symptoms and most symptoms of mental disorders, with small or moderate effect sizes, as well as correlations with the personality traits of agreeableness (r = -0.272; p &lt; 0.001), conscientiousness (r = - 0.314; p &lt; 0.001), and neuroticism (r = 0.299; p &lt; 0.001). Additionally, we found a negative association with psychosocial outcomes such as quality of life (r = -0.339; p &lt; 0.001) and life satisfaction (r = - 0.202; p &lt; 0.003). The multivariate model included the personality traits of conscientiousness and agreeableness and symptoms of dissociation and somatization as predictors. The prevalence of IGD was 9% in those who played online games. Conclusion IGD is correlated with different areas of the individual’s life, such as personality, quality of life, and several common symptoms of mental disorders. The prevalence can be considered high among players (9%). Conscientiousness, agreeability, somatic symptoms, and dissociative symptoms were associated with the symptoms of IGD.

Evaluation of the psychometric properties of DSM–5 internet gaming disorder measures: A COSMIN systematic review and meta-analysis.

Evaluation of the psychometric properties of DSM–5 internet gaming disorder measures: A COSMIN systematic review and meta-analysis.

DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY IN CHILDREN ASSOCIATED WITH SCREEN TIME

Children today are surrounded by both traditional and cutting-edge digital media worldwide. Children's daily life now includes screen time starting as early as infancy. Preschoolers exposed to interactive and screen media may benefit in a variety of ways, but excessive or unsuitable screen time may offer health and developmental hazards. The environment, including parents, siblings, and classmates, has a major effect on children's development. More than ever before, children are absorbing video and internet gaming content. Approximately one hour every day is spent engaging with and observing digital screens. Children are interacting with screens more frequently every day as virtual learning approaches are adopted more frequently in classrooms. Even while screen time is a necessary part of life at home and at school, keeping track of how much time your child spends using screens is crucial for their general development. To encourage healthy development in this digital age, In order to promote in-person play and physical exercise among preschoolers, parents and caregivers must endeavor to reduce screen-based activities.

The mediating role of sleep quality on the relationship between internet gaming disorder and perceived stress and suicidal behaviour among Indian medical students

BackgroundIn the recent digital era, individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD) have reported a much higher prevalence of poor sleep quality, perceived stress and suicidal behaviour. However, the underlying mechanisms...

Risk factors of internet gaming disorder in students: physical inactivity and insufficient family environment

Günümüzde bilgisayar, akıllı telefon gibi teknolojilerin ve internet kullanımının yaygınlaşması ile dijital oyunlara ulaşım artmakta ve dijital oyun oynamanın etkileri gün geçtikçe daha belirgin hale gelmektedir. Özellikle adölesan ve genç erişkin grubunda yer alan lise ve üniversite öğrencileri diğer bağımlılıklarda olduğu gibi internet oyun bağımlılığı için de en önemli risk grubu olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Koruma ve müdahale çalışmaları için yol gösterecek ve özellikle risk grubu olan genç bireylerde internet oyun bağımlılığının yaygınlığını ve etyolojisini belirleyecek çalışmalara ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Bu çalışmada lise ve üniversite öğrencilerinde internet oyun bağımlılığı sıklığı ve etkili faktörlerin belirlenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Araştırma, Gazi Üniversitesine bağlı Tıp Fakültesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi ve Sincan ve Çankaya’da belirlenen birer lisede eğitim gören toplam 1350 katılımcı ile yürütülen kesitsel tipte bir araştırmadır. Araştırmanın veri kaynağı sosyo demografik bilgileri, katılımcıların sağlıkla ilgili bazı özelliklerini, oyun bağımlılığını değerlendiren bilgileri ve İnternet Oyun Bağımlılığı Ölçeği Kısa Formunu (IGDS9-SF) içeren anket formudur. Çalışmada olası internet oyun bağımlılığı prevalansı %5,6’dır. Lojistik regresyon analizinde internet oyun bağımlılığına etki eden faktörlerin erkek olma (OR:2,850), ebeveynlerin ayrı olması veya vefatı (OR:4,127), tek çocuk olma (OR:4,560), fiziksel aktivite yapmama (OR.3,165), kendine güven duymama (OR:3,029), aile ilişkilerinin kötü olması (OR:5,427), online oyunları tercih etme (OR.7,034) olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Sonuçları ile birlikte değerlendirildiğinde önemli bir halk sağlığı sorunu haline gelen internet oyun bağımlılığı için müdahale çalışmaları planlamak ve farkındalık oluşturmak önemlidir.

Correlation Between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Internet Gaming Disorder or Gaming Disorder.

Individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD) or gaming disorder (GD) had a higher prevalence of ADHD than individuals without IGD or GD. The overpathologizing of excessive gaming behaviors may be associated with the functional impairment due to ADHD in individuals with GD. The present study was designed to compare the gaming patterns, accompanying psychopathology, and co-occurring psychiatric disorders, especially ADHD, between clinical and general gamer samples (17-29 years old). Out of the nine IGD criteria, the item "functional impairment" had low diagnostic accuracy in participants with IGD or GD. The IGD (GD) group had a higher prevalence of ADHD compared to the general gamer group. Conversely, there was a higher prevalence of IGD (GD) in the ADHD group compared to the non-ADHD group. The possibility of ADHD should be considered when IGD or GD is diagnosed in patients with problematic Internet gaming.

Should Internet Gaming Disorder be defined within the ICD-11: A Literature Review

Gaming disorder (GD) is ubiquitous worldwide, particularly in Asian nations. This paper synthesized and analyzed evidence from different perspectives, including (a) clinical background, (b) psychological perspective, and (c) social condition, to determine whether the gaming disorder should be defined in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) or not. Consequently, debates on the incorporation of GD in ICD-11 continue to exist and will take time to resolve, despite the vast amount of research conducted in this area.

Translation and Validation of the Gaming Disorder Test and Gaming Disorder Scale for Adolescents into Chinese for Taiwanese Young Adults

PurposeTo translate and cross-culturally adapt the Gaming Disorder Test (GDT) and Gaming Disorder Scale for Adolescents (GADIS-A) for use in Taiwan and to validate their internal consistency, construct validity, measurement invariance, and convergent validity in Taiwanese young adults. MethodsThe GDT and GADIS-A were translated into traditional (unsimplified) Chinese characters and culturally adapted according to standard guidelines. A sample of 608 Taiwanese university students were recruited online. All participants completed the GDT, GADIS-A, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form (IGDS9-SF), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω. Factor structure was examined using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Measurement invariance in gender was assessed by three nested models in CFA. Convergent validity was determined by calculating Pearson's r among the GDT, GADIS-A, IGDS9-SF, and DASS-21. ResultsThe GDT and GADIS-A showed adequate internal consistency (both α and ω = 0.90). The CFA results supported a one-factor structure for the GDT and a two-factor structure for the GADIS-A. Measurement invariance across gender was supported for both the GDT and GADIS-A. The convergent validity of the GDT and GADIS-A were acceptable. ConclusionsThe Chinese versions of the GDT and GADIS-A are valid and reliable tools that can be used to assess gaming disorder in Taiwanese young adults. Measurement invariance across genders was supported for both tools. The convergent validity of the GDT and GADIS-A were also satisfactory.