Prevalence and factors associated with Internet gaming disorder among adolescents in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Meta-Analysis of Internet Gaming Disorder Prevalence: Assessing the Impacts of DSM-5 and ICD-11 Diagnostic Criteria

With the inclusion of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) in both the DSM-5 and ICD-11, understanding the prevalence and diagnostic discrepancies is crucial for developing appropriate interventions. This study presents a meta-analysis of the prevalence of IGD based on two diagnostic criteria. We systematically searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases. A total of 22 studies were included in the final analysis. The analysis incorporated studies employing the DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria and focused on the impact of various factors, including study location, sample characteristics, sample size, and quality score, on the reported prevalence rates using a random-effects model. The pooled prevalence of IGD is 6.7% (95% CI: 5.7-7.7%). The subgroup analysis indicated significant differences in the prevalence rates of IGD (DSM-5 criteria) and GD (ICD-11 criteria) (Q b = 38.46, p < 0.01). There were also significant differences in IGD prevalence rates between different scales (Q b = 54.23, p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that different diagnostic criteria and different assessment scales have a significant impact on the prevalence of IGD. This underscores the importance of adopting standardized methodologies to guide public health interventions. However, given the limited research based on ICD-11 diagnostic criteria, further investigation is necessary to determine the variations in prevalence rates of IGD under different diagnostic standards.

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.

Internet addiction among MBBS students at a New Delhi medical college: Prevalence and determinants of a silent pandemic

Background and Objective

The 21st century has witnessed a surge in global internet usage, particularly in developing nations like India. Internet addiction, also known as pathological internet use (PIU) or internet addiction (IA), has emerged as a mental health concern, especially among university students. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of IA among MBBS students in a medical college in Delhi, India, and explore the association of IA with sociodemographic and internet usage patterns.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 300 undergraduate medical students. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which included the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) developed by Dr. Kimberley Young. The IAT measures various aspects of internet use, and scores are categorized as normal user, mild addiction, moderate addiction, and severe addiction. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for data analysis.

Results

The mean age of onset of internet use was 14.4 ± 1.6 years. Smartphones were the most common devices used for internet access (96.3%), and the mean daily internet usage was 2.9 h ± 0.9 (standard deviation [SD]). The study found that 70.7% of students maintained a permanent login status. The majority of subjects used the Internet for coursework (89.7%) and information searches (88.7%). The prevalence of IA was significant, with 90% of participants being addicted to varying degrees. The grading of IA revealed 10% with no addiction, 54.6% with mild addiction, 32% with moderate addiction, and 3.3% with severe addiction.

Conclusion

IA is a prevalent public health concern among medical students in Delhi, with a majority of participants being addicted to some extent. Females showed a higher proportion of addiction compared to males. Certain internet activities, such as social networking and watching online videos, were significantly associated with IA. The study highlights the need for recognizing IA as a public health concern and further research to understand its impact on the youth. Longitudinal studies are recommended to observe the development and progression of IA over time.

The prevalence of internet gaming disorders and the associated psychosocial risk factors among adolescents in Malaysian secondary schools

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has been placed under the conditions for further study segment in DSM-5. The purpose of the current study was to develop a preliminary psychosocial model as a reference for providing appropriate intervention, particularly for adolescents with IGD. A total of 5290 adolescents from secondary schools in seven states in Malaysia were recruited by using proportionate random sampling. A standardized set of validated questionnaires such as DASS-21, BIS-11, and IGDS9-SF were distributed to participants that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of IGD among Malaysian adolescents was 3.5%. The bivariate analysis summarized that factors such as stress, impulsivity, gender, time spent using the internet, and relationship with parents and friends; have statistically significant associations with IGD. The logistic regression model revealed that adolescents with IGD were 9 times more likely to experience extremely severe stress (p < 0.001). Several psychosocial factors were associated strongly with IGD in the current study, however, mental health shows the most significant issues among adolescents with IGD. Immediate intervention through a psychological approach to internet gaming is needed from parents, schools, and also respective stakeholders. IGD may become one of the addictions diseases that cause deterioration in many aspects of an adolescent's future life without serious intervention.

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

OBJECTIVES

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.

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSION

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.

Prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder Among Intermediate and High School Students in Albaha, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives Excessive video game use, particularly among young people, is a growing problem that poses potential serious mental health risks in many parts of the world. However, there is a lack of research on the prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD) in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Albaha region. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of IGD among a sample of intermediate and high school students in Albaha and to identify potential factors associated with the development of the disorder. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we collected data between August and November 2022 using a self-administered online Arabic questionnaire, which included a validated translation of the IGD-20 test, which is a tool based on the DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing IGD. We used a multistage sampling technique, with two administrative areas as clusters, to randomly select eight intermediate and high schools with an equal distribution of male and female students. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis. Results A total of 391 participants were included in the study, with an age range of 12 to 18 years. Males accounted for 51.4% (n=201) of the sample, and females accounted for 48.6% (n=190). The prevalence of IGD was found to be 3.5% (n=14), with males accounting for 64% (n=9) of affected participants. The study found that prolonged gaming duration (three or more hours per day), using mobile phones for gaming, and engaging in online gaming were significant factors associated with the diagnosis of IGD (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.004, respectively). Conclusion This study provides preliminary evidence on the prevalence of IGD among intermediate and high school students in Albaha, Saudi Arabia. The results suggest a lower incidence of IGD compared to studies conducted in other regions of the country. A larger study with in-person interviews is needed to confirm the findings and extend the generalizability of the results. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for further research to explore the risk factors associated with IGD and to develop interventions to address this emerging mental health issue among Saudi Arabian youth.