Internet gaming disorder in adolescence: Psychological characteristics of a clinical sample

Social intelligence and pathological gaming: a longitudinal study of the associations among negative emotions, social intelligence, aggression, and pathological gaming in adolescents

Introduction

Pathological gaming continues to be highlighted as one of the most critical issues concerning adolescents. Numerous studies have aimed to elucidate the relationships between adolescents' negative emotions (e.g., peer stress, anxiety, loneliness) and social factors (e.g., social skills and relationships) with pathological gaming. Despite the recognition of social intelligence as a crucial factor related to social factors in adolescents, there is a paucity of research examining pathological gaming and social intelligence through longitudinal analyses.

Method

This study focuses on exploring the factors that induce or inhibit pathological gaming among adolescents by analysing three-year longitudinal data from Korean adolescent gamers (N=968). Using a structural equation model, the study examines the relationships between adolescents' negative emotions (e.g., peer stress, anxiety, loneliness), social intelligence, and pathological gaming to elucidate their associations.

Results

The results indicate that negative emotions can potentially reduce levels of social intelligence and increase aggression. Increased aggression, in turn, appears to be associated with higher levels of pathological gaming. Social intelligence was found to impact pathological gaming potentially negatively and may exert a significantly stronger influence on aggression compared to negative emotions.

Discussion

The study's findings suggest that bolstering adolescents' social aptitude and addressing mental health concerns could serve as beneficial interventions in tackling issues associated with excessive media engagement among youth. These findings suggest that, within the context of adolescent pathological gaming, social intelligence could significantly affect aggression and emerge as a key variable that may lead to pathological gaming.

Screened realities: a Grounded Theory exploration of gaming disorder dynamics among Iranian male adolescents

Introduction

The increasing prevalence of gaming Disorder (GD) among adolescents has become a global concern. Despite the rising number of studies investigating GD, the cultural and socio-economic factors influencing GD with a qualitative approach are scarce. This study aims to explore the underlying factors, processes, and consequences of GD among Iranian male adolescents and contextual factors related to GD within Iran's unique socio-cultural and psychological tapestry.

Methods

The study used a qualitative design based on the Grounded Theory Method (GTM). The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 male adolescents aged 15-18 who Dignasoed according to DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the GTM approach, which involves open, axial, and selective coding.

Results

The study revealed nine main themes and a core category: (1) interaction seeking, (2) encounter and familiarize with games, (3) games attraction, (4) Socialization, (5) game careerism, (6) dexterity, (7) lack and compensation, (8) physical harm, territorial-cultural barrier, (9) second life, and ''life crafting'' as the core category.

Discussion

The study's findings provide valuable insights into the cultural and socio-economic factors influencing GD among Iranian male adolescents. For example, Iran's economic conditions make adolescents choose gaming as their job and try to earn money in this way, which makes them more dependent on gaming. On the other hand, communities related to games play an essential role in the identity development of adolescents with GD.

The Lived Experiences of Individuals and Coping Strategies in the Context of Internet Gaming Disorder: A Qualitative Study Within Higher Education Setting in Uganda

Background

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), recognized as a mental disorder in both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), poses significant threats to physical, social, and mental well-being. This study aims to delve into the experiences of individuals grappling with IGD.

Methods and Materials

The study employed an interpretive phenomenology, conducting interviews with 10 graduate students at Makerere University. Participants were purposefully sampled until data saturation was achieved during interviews, which took place between May and July 2023. An interview guide facilitated data collection (Supplementary File 1), and thematic analysis was manually applied for data interpretation, utilizing intuition and imaginative approaches.

Results

The findings revealed that the majority of participants started gaming during childhood, starting with offline games. Exposure to gadgets and games, idle time, and stress emerged as key triggers for IGD. Participants reported experiencing sleep deficits, deteriorating interpersonal relationships, declining job performance, unhealthy eating habits, academic challenges, and wastage of money and time. The study also identified strategies employed by participants to mitigate their gaming behaviors, such as refraining from purchasing data, seeking support from friends, and uninstalling the game app, although relapses were common.

Conclusion

The study highlights a global pattern of early initiation into gaming, emphasizing the need for early intervention and preventive measures. Factors such as easy accessibility and affordability of gaming platforms, idleness, and stress play significant roles in motivating internet gaming, contributing to a higher prevalence among the studied population. The research underscores the adverse effects of IGD on students, affecting academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and job performance. Notably, participants demonstrate agency in addressing IGD through practical coping strategies, including controlling data access, seeking social support, and uninstalling games. These coping mechanisms provide valuable insights into the complex nature of addressing IGD and form a basis for developing targeted interventions and support systems within the higher education setting in Uganda.

Emotional dysregulation predicts problematic gaming in children and youths: a cross-sectional and longitudinal approach

Adolescents show a high vulnerability for addictive gaming patterns on the one hand and immature emotion regulation (ER) abilities as a risk factor for mental disorders on the other hand. We investigated the predictive value of ER difficulties on problematic gaming (PG) considering age groups (children vs. youths) and gender cross-sectionally and prospectively in a representative sample of German adolescents via online survey with two measurement points 14 months apart. General Poisson, logistic, and multinomial regression models were estimated to predict gaming patterns by ER difficulties controlling for age group and gender. Results revealed ER difficulties to be significantly associated with PG. Moreover, subgroup analyses indicated differing ER patterns for children vs. youths and boys vs. girls: for children, higher PG values were associated with emotional awareness and emotional clarity whereas for youths it was the acceptance of emotional responses. Moreover, gender differences implicated that boys with PG had more deficits in goal-oriented behavior as well as emotional awareness while affected girls were lacking emotional clarity and had problems with the acceptance of their emotional responses. Interestingly, procrastination was a significant predictor for PG irrespective of subgroups. Furthermore, longitudinal analyses indicated that difficulties in ER promoted PG while stronger procrastination tendencies maintained it. With the inclusion of procrastination, which can be understood as a maladaptive ER strategy, a broader picture of ER difficulties as a risk factor for PG could be drawn. The findings support a better understanding of PG etiology and the development of targeted prevention and intervention measures.

Mapping the theories, content, and outcomes of family-based interventions for children and young people with gaming disorder: A scoping review protocol

Background  Despite the growth of gaming disorders globally, evidence of the formal involvement of family in treating gaming disorders is limited. When children are affected by gaming disorder, the family may encounter challenges in managing the behavior and in the lack of information regarding the gaming disorder, resulting in inconsistent parenting, which may further exacerbate the problem. Thus, it is essential to involve the family in formal interventions. The current scoping review plans to identify the theories, content, and outcomes of family-based interventions for children and young people with gaming disorders. Methods  This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. The population, Concept, and Context (PCC) were used to develop the review question. The studies published in the indexed databases will be searched systematically, and the reference list of included full texts will be searched for relevant studies. Intervention studies published in English from January 2010 to December 2022 will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen the studies against eligibility criteria. The data will be extracted and presented in a tabular and narrative style. Discussion  This scoping review will help better understand content, outcomes, and theories underpinning family-based interventions for children and young people with gaming disorders. Findings will inform the stakeholders about the current topic and guide the potential research areas. Registration details: The protocol has been registered in Open Science Framework with the DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/TXWBH.

Prevalence and associated factors of depressive and anxiety symptoms among Chinese secondary school students

BACKGROUND

Depressive and anxiety symptoms affect about one-fourth of Chinese secondary school students. However, the prevalence and correlates of mental distress among secondary school students from Western China remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and associations of depressive and anxiety symptoms with demographic, family, school, life, and behavior factors in a large, representative sample of secondary school students in Zigong, a city in Western China.

METHODS

Secondary school students were recruited using cluster sampling. The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Nine-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form were used. Descriptive statistic was used to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of participants. The clustering effect was adjusted by the "survey" package of R to calculate weighted prevalence. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore associated factors of depression and anxiety, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 63,205 participants were involved, in which the weighted prevalence of depression in all subjects was 23.0% (95% CI: 19.6- 27.0%), and the weighted prevalence of anxiety was 13.9% (95% CI: 11.2- 17.0%). Logistic regression results showed girls, being single-child, non-nuclear family, peer bullying, sleep disturbance, and internet gaming disorder symptoms were positively associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Depressive and anxiety symptoms were prevalent among secondary school students in Western China. Our results can guide policy strategies for the assessment, prevention, and intervention of psychological status among Chinese secondary school students.

Neuroimaging findings in adolescent gaming disorder: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Gaming disorder is a growing concern affecting adolescents, exacerbated by the impact of recent COVID-19 restrictions. The World Health Organization has recently included gaming disorder in the 11th International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). However, there is still an ongoing debate about the validity and reliability of the proposed clinical criteria, despite growing neurobiological evidence in this cohort. Systematic reviews in this area have focused mainly on adults or mixed adult/adolescent populations. Therefore, this systematic review explored the neuroimaging literature in adolescents (under 18 years old) with gaming disorder.

METHODS

Using PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 3288 primary studies were identified from PubMed, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO and Web of Science. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria (appropriate title, abstract, comparison group used within study, English-language, neuroimaging and mean age under 18), 24 studies were included in this review.

RESULTS

Functional and structural brain alterations in adolescent gaming disorder were noted across several imaging modalities, including electroencephalogram (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Compared with healthy controls, adolescents with gaming disorder demonstrated neurological changes comparable to substance addiction, namely impairments in emotional regulation, reward-seeking, inhibition and increased risky decision-making. Positive brain adaptations in the areas of visuospatial processing and memory were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

A number of key brain regions are affected in adolescent gaming disorder. These findings can help clinicians understand adolescent presentations with gaming disorder from a neurobiological perspective. Future studies should focus on forming a robust neurobiological and clinical framework for adolescent gaming disorder.

Gamers' and non-gamers' perspectives on the development of problematic video game play

Gaming Disorder was recently included in the 11th Edition of the International Classification of Diseases and Internet Gaming Disorder may be introduced in the sixth edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Much is not understood about how problems with video games develop. This qualitative study aimed to better understand the development of problematic gaming through focus groups. Eleven young adult "frequent gamers," twelve young adult "non-frequent or non-gamers," and five older adult "non-gamers" discussed vulnerabilities and risk factors of problematic gaming. Participants across all groups believed that problematic gaming developed when people used video games as a primary means of meeting basic psychological needs that were unsatisfied, thwarted, or blocked outside of video games. Frequent and non-frequent gamers, compared to older adult non-gamers, were more likely to view video games as a healthy way to meet basic psychological needs and less likely to stereotype gamers. Video games are equipped to meet basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. That is, gamers often experience a sense of agency, skill, and connection to others when playing video games. However, problematic gaming may develop when people with unmet psychological needs rely exclusively on video games to meet them. Treatment and prevention approaches to problematic gaming can benefit from greater attention to helping at risk individuals meet needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness outside of video games.

Development of an Instrument to Assess Expectations for the Use of Online Gaming, Social Networking Sites, and Online Pornography: the Marburg Internet Use Expectations (MINUS-X) Questionnaire

User’s expectations contribute to the maintenance of problematic use of online gaming (OG), social networking (SN), and online pornography (OP). Since an instrument to assess use expectations across applications is lacking, this study aimed at developing and testing such a questionnaire. It consists of a general module (GM), which includes expectations relevant to all three applications, and three application-specific modules. A pilot and a validation study were conducted with 2880 German adults. We conducted item analyses, exploratory factor analyses (EFA), exploratory structural equation modelling, and correlation analyses. The EFA revealed six factors for the GM and two factors for each specific module. The GM demonstrated measurement invariance between applications. The instrument showed excellent psychometric properties, indicating its suitability for assessing expectations concerning the use of OG, SN, and OG reliably and validly. It could be helpful for treating patients with problematic use of the applications and investigating the role of the relevant expectations.

Relationship of Gaming Disorder with parenting based on low affection-communication and personality trait of neuroticism in adolescents

Background

Gaming Disorder is increasingly common in adolescents. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between parenting, personality traits, and Gaming Disorder.

Methods

An observational and cross-sectional study in six secondary schools of Castelló, obtaining a final sample of 397 students.

Results

Adolescents with Gaming Disorder had lower scores in Adolescent Affection-Communication (F = 8.201; p < 0.001), Father's Warmth (F = 3.459; p = 0.028), and Father's Acceptance/Involvement (F = 5.467; p = 0.003), and higher scores in Mother's Revoking Privileges (F = 4.277; p = 0.034) and Father's Indifference (F = 7.868; p = 0.002) than healthy participants. Male sex was a risk factor for Gaming Disorder (OR = 12.221; p = 0.004), while Adolescent Affection-Communication (OR = 0.908; p = 0.001) and Agreeableness (OR = 0.903; p = 0.022) were protective factors. Data modeling described the protective effect that Adolescent Affection-Communication had on Gaming Disorder, which was both directly (B = -0.20; p < 0.001) and indirectly mediated by Neuroticism (B = -0.20; p < 0.001), while Neuroticism itself was a risk factor for Gaming Disorder (B = 0.50; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

These results reflect that Parental style with low affection and communication was directly and indirectly related to the Gaming Disorder, as well as male sex and personality trait of Neuroticism.

Children's mobile-gaming preferences, online risks, and mental health

This study examined the relationships between children's mobile gaming preferences, online risks, and mental health. Data were obtained from a sample of 2,702 third and fourth grade students from 16 elementary schools in Taiwan and 9 schools in China. A self-administered questionnaire was used. The mental state of the children who participated in the study was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), while mobile gaming addiction was assessed using the short form of the Internet Gaming Disorders Scale (IGDS9-SF). The results showed that about 54% of children played mobile games with others (multi-player), while 31% played mobile games alone, and 15% did not play mobile games. Multiple logistic regression results indicated that behaviors such as participating in multi-player games, playing violent games, a poor parent-child relationship, and living in a rural area were associated with a greater risk of mobile gaming addiction. Involvement in multi-player games, playing violent games, mobile gaming addiction, and exposure to mobile violence/pornography were associated with greater risks of cyber aggression/victimization. Multiple regression results showed that being a multi-player, playing violent games, mobile gaming addiction, exposure to violence/pornography, exposure to cyber aggression/victimization, and having a poor parent-child relationship were associated with emotional and behavioral problems.

The prevalence and possible risk factors of internet gaming disorder among adolescents and young adults: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

As a spreading addictive behaviour in recent years, internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been studied a lot and the overall research results indicate that IGD has a high prevalence among adolescents and young adults (AYAs). To update the status quo of prevalence, it is necessary to conduct comprehensive analyses.

METHODS

On the premise of following the PRISMA statement, the study conducted two systematic reviews and meta-analyses to assess the global prevalence of IGD among AYAs and identify its possible risk factors. To achieve the goals, PubMed and CNKI databases were used to select the concerned studies published up to May 31, 2021. Heterogeneity was assessed using a funnel plot, Begg's test, Egger's test, and trim-and-fil method, followed by sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression analysis.

RESULTS

For the meta-analysis of prevalence, 407,620 participants from 155 reports in 33 countries were included. The pooled prevalence of IGD among AYAs was 9.9% (95% CI: 8.6%-11.3%, P = 0.000, I² = 94.4%), including 8.8% (95% CI: 7.5%-10.0%) among adolescents and 10.4% (95% CI: 8.8%-11.9%) among young adults. The following 12 factors are the possible risk factors of IGD among AYAs, which are stress, long average game time, family dysfunction, poor academic performance, being bullied, bullying, interpersonal problems, hyperactivity/inattention, anxiety, depression, emotional distress and low self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the prevalence and possible risk factors for IGD among AYAs. It's valuable in understanding the threat of IGD and finding intervention strategies for IGD among AYAs.

Internet gaming disorder and its correlates among university students, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Over-indulgence in online/offline video games could result in the development of internet gaming disorder (IGD). Knowledge of the prevalence and correlates of IGD may help to understand its etiology. The aim of the present study was to estimate IGD and its psychological/game-related correlates in Saudi university students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this cross-sectional study, 843 students registered in a university in Saudi Arabia filled an online survey comprising diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), hospital anxiety and depression scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, social phobia inventory scale, satisfaction with life scale, and subjective happiness (SH) scale. For data analysis, an independent sample t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient/Chi-square test, and multiple linear regression followed by hierarchical regressions were used.

RESULTS

The frequency of IGD was 21.5%. Total game time/day, years of playing games, and social phobia were significantly higher in subjects with IGD (P = 0.001, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively), whereas SH was significantly lower (P < 0.001). Tendency to IGD had a significant positive correlation with social phobia, total game time/day, and years of playing games and a negative correlation with SH. Total game time/day, years of playing games, and social phobia were significant positive predictors of tendency to IGD, whereas SH was a negative predictor. The rest of all variables were insignificant predictors.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of IGD in Saudi university students identified by DSM-5 criteria was relatively high (21.5%). The prediction of the severity of IGD could be based on social phobia, total game time/day, number of years of playing games, and SH.

“Game (not) Over”: A Systematic Review of Video Game Disorder in Adolescents

This study aims to characterize video game use disorder in adolescents, identifying the particularities of those who present it, its effects at the brain level, related factors, and existing measurement instruments. A systematic review of the scientific publications available in Scopus was carried out, between the period 2014-2018 on video game use disorder in adolescents. Adolescents with this disorder are characterized by being mostly men, spending more time daily and weekly playing than adolescents without this disorder, showing diverse symptoms in the behavioral, affective, and cognitive areas. At brain level, it is referred that in this disorder there is an increase and decrease in the activation of specific areas of the brain. Likewise, the presence of some psychological disorder and impulsivity are considered factors that increase the risk of suffering from it. However, there are protective factors as school commitment and parental supervision, among others. How to cite: Rojas-Jara, C., Polanco-Carrasco, R., Navarro-Castillo, R., Faúndez-Castillo, F., & Chamorro-Gallardo, M. (2022). “Game (not) Over”: A Systematic Review of Video Game Disorder in Adolescents. Revista Colombiana de Psicología, 31(2), 45-64. https://doi.org/10.15446/rcp.v31n2.90741

The Association Between Internet Gaming Disorder and Sensation Seeking Among Arab Adolescents

Research on internet gaming disorder (IGD) has increased considerably over the last decade. Although most IGD research has focused on Western or South Asian samples, it is critical to understand and assess this disorder among other populations. The present study investigated the association between IGD and sensation seeking among Arab adolescents. An online survey consisting of the short internet gaming disorder short scale (IGDSS) and brief sensation seeking scale (B-SSS) was completed by 260 participants (mean age = 14.61, SD = 2.43). The results showed that sensation seeking behaviours were associated with higher gaming hours and greater chances of exhibiting IGD. The findings support the current perspective of understanding this disorder from a disease framework as it highlights the relevance of behavioural components in gaming addiction. Importantly, the results will further aid the development of reliable diagnosis and efficacious treatments within clinical practices.

Assessing the Association Between Internet Addiction Disorder and Health Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Internet addiction disorder (IAD) is a global issue that has resulted in a slew of physical and emotional consequences. Studies have indicated that health risk behaviors might be the risk factors for IAD. The published literature on the correlation between the two is lacking. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis to understand better the link between IAD and health risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults.

Methods

We searched ten electronic databases for relevant articles. Data were extracted based on IAD and health risk behaviors ( alcohol, smoking, suicidal, gambling and drug abuse). We calculated odds ratios (ORs), a pooled correlation coefficient (r) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A fixed-effect model was applied to summarize the pooled effects. Heterogeneity was examined using I2 statistics and Cochran's Q statistics. All analyses were conducted by using Stata version 15.0.

Results

A total of 16 studies and 61,823 participants were included in this study. Meta-analysis showed that IAD was positively correlated with drinking (r = 0.35; 95% CI 0.32–0.37) and smoking (r = 0.12; 95%CI 0.10–0.15), and was associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior (OR= 1.95; 95% CI 1.65–2.30), drinking (OR= 1.75; 95% CI 1.65–1.85), and smoking (OR= 1.63; 95% CI 1.54–1.72) among adolescents.

Conclusion

We found significantly increased risks of suicidal behavior, drinking, and smoking in adolescents and young adults with IAD. These findings are important to expand our understanding of IAD and have great guiding significance for preventing health risk behaviors of adolescents and young adults.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021257729, identifier: PROSPERO CRD42021257729.

Exploring the Mechanism of Pathological Gaming in Adolescents: Focused on the Mediation Paths and Latent Group Comparison

Pathological gaming among adolescents has been reported to hamper the achievement of a balanced life and to threaten the development of social competencies. Despite the increasing social concerns on the adolescent users, however, the mechanism of gaming behavior of adolescents has not been sufficiently examined. This study explored the mechanism of pathological gaming among adolescents from 3-year longitudinal data of 778 Korean adolescent gamers, by analyzing the effects of negative affects (i.e., anxiety, loneliness, and academic stress) on the degree of pathological gaming through the mediation variables (i.e., aggression and self-control) based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to uncover potential risk groups, and through partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis, the mediation pathways to pathological gaming were compared between the risk group and the non-risk group. The results highlighted the key role of academic stress on the degree of pathological gaming. In the entire group, academic stress primarily increased pathological gaming through self-control. The mediation path of self-control was the most influential result in the risk group. Aggression was the key mediator between loneliness and pathological gaming in the non-risk group. The theoretical and practical implications of the results were discussed.

Gaming disorder among students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences: The frequency and related factors

Background: Gaming disorder has been identified as a health problem. Disorders in emerging adulthood might negatively affect individuals’ attitude toward the world, their communication with others, and formation of their personal identity. Thus, the present study was performed to identify the frequency of gaming disorder and its related factors among students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: A total of 813 undergraduate students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences participated in this descriptive correlational study in 2018. All students filled the personal-social information form and Social Readjustment Rating Scale, and gamers filled gaming behaviors form and Internet gaming disorder-20 test (IGD). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient, t- test, ANOVA, chi-square, and multiple linear regression.

Results: A total of 394 (48.5%) students were currently playing games. The mean of IGD scores among the gamers was 45.47 ±13.93, and 17 (4.3%) of them were recognized as having gaming disorder. The frequency of the disorder among all students was 17 (2.1%). Being male, playing online games, and having access to all 3 gaming devices (computer, smart phone, and tablet) were recognized as determining factors of gaming disorder.

Conclusion: This study revealed that almost half of the university students were playing video and or on line games; however, a low percentage of the gamers had addictive gaming behaviors. The results indicated the necessity of applying modifications to individuals’ gaming methods as well as implementing the individual and family-centered interventions to prevent and manage gaming disorder.

Individual and Interpersonal Factors Associated with the Incidence, Persistence, and Remission of Internet Gaming Disorders Symptoms in an Adolescents Sample

Video game playing behavior has serious consequences for adolescents on a personal, family, social, and academic level. This research aimed to examine risk and protective factors involving incidence, persistence, and remission of gaming disorders symptoms (IGDs) in Spanish adolescents after nine months of follow-up. Data were drawn from self-administered questionnaires completed on two occasions: at the beginning (T1) and end of the academic year (T2). A total of 950 adolescents aged from 11 to 20 years (M = 14, SD = 1.52, 48.5% female) completed the questionnaire at T1, while 550 adolescents aged from 11 to 18 years (M = 13.43, SD = 1.23, 48.9% female) took part in the follow-up study (T2). The incidence, persistence, and remission rates were 6%, 2.7%, and 4.2%, respectively. Significant relationships with IGDs were found between the male gender and studying at a private school in T1 and T2. The findings show that the time spent playing video games during T1 was positively associated with IGDs in T1 and T2. The incidence of IGDs was associated with emotional problems and low family affection. The persistence of IGDs was linked to higher motor impulsivity, agreeableness, and lower family resolve. Remission was related to a decrease in anxiety and hostility as well as an increase in the emotional stability of adolescents. These findings imply that emotional well-being and family adjustment could be relevant for the effective management of gaming behaviors.

The Big Five personality traits and online gaming: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Online gaming has become an essential form of entertainment with the advent of technology and a large sway of research has been undertaken to understand its various permutations. Previous reviews have identified associations between the Big Five personality traits and online gaming, but a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between these constructs has yet to be undertaken. In the current study we aimed to fill this gap in the literature through a systematic review and meta-analysis comprising of 17 studies and 25,634 individuals (AgeMean = 26.55, males = 75%). The findings showed that agreeableness, extraversion, openness to experience, and neuroticism were not ubiquitously associated with online gaming. The findings showed that only conscientiousness, across samples, had a protective role in online gaming. Furthermore, there were non-significant variations in the Big Five personality traits associations with online gaming when comparing gamers to the general population, younger versus older participants, casual versus 'hardcore' gamers, and high versus low traits (with the exception of neuroticism). As a result of our observations, the underlying mechanisms of individual differences in online gaming remain unclear. Limitations and future directions for research are discussed.

Requirements of a Group Intervention for Adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder in a Clinical Setting: A Qualitative Interview Study

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has become an important health concern in a significant proportion of adolescents. Intervention studies in this age group are scarce, mostly follow quantitative designs, and rarely consider adolescents' experiences. This study aimed to evaluate the requirements for a group therapy program for adolescents with IGD. A qualitative interview study was conducted in a German clinic for addictive disorders in childhood and adolescence with nine participants (seven IGD patients (12-18 years, M = 15.86, SD = 1.95) and two psychotherapists). The semi-structured interviews addressed helpful contents, general conditions, and suggestions for alterations for an effective group intervention. Data were analyzed using content structuring qualitative analysis. Patient interview data resulted in 234 codings with eight main categories. Expert interview data yielded 151 codings with six main categories. The following treatment components were described as effective by the participants and experts: psychoeducation, emotion management, behavior analysis and modification, social skills training, parent participation, and relapse prevention. Additionally, adolescents emphasized the importance of group functionality for coherence, feedback and rewards, content presentation, physical activity and fun. The results are a valuable addition to findings from quantitative studies on IGD interventions and an interesting starting point for further representative studies.

Longitudinal predictors for incidence of internet gaming disorder among adolescents: The roles of time spent on gaming and depressive symptoms

INTRODUCTION

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) was popular among adolescents worldwide, but whether some associated factors could contribute to the development of IGD was unclear. This longitudinal study explored the temporal stability of IGD over one year and determined the predictors for IGD incidence.

METHODS

Participants were 1121 adolescents from six junior high schools in Shanghai, China (50.6% males; median age = 13.0 years). The baseline and follow-up questionnaire survey measured IGD, time spent on gaming, depressive symptoms, insomnia condition, substance use and background variables from 7th to 8th grade. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to test the associations between other factors and IGD incidence.

RESULTS

IGD incidence was 7.7% at one-year follow-up. Gender, family financial condition, parental educational level, time spent on gaming, insomnia condition and depressive symptoms were associated with IGD incidence in univariate analysis, whereas only gender, family financial condition, time spent on gaming and depressive symptoms were associated with IGD incidence in multivariate logistic regression.

CONCLUSIONS

IGD might persist for years during adolescence. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, time spent on gaming and depressive symptoms were independent predictors for IGD incidence.

Autistic Traits and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms Predict the Severity of Internet Gaming Disorder in an Italian Adult Population

Over the last decade, internet gaming has been a fast-growing recreational activity. Gamers risk their leisure activity becoming an addiction. In the present study, we aimed to measure the prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in an adult population of video game players and to investigate the association between demographic variables, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) traits, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) severity, and IGD in adults. Through an online survey, we recruited 4260 individuals aged between 18 and 55 years old, who were members of online communities of video gamers. We collected demographic data and administered three questionnaires: the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGD9-SF), the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Of the overall sample, 29.67% scored above the cut-off of 21 points for the IGD9-SF. Multiple linear regression models showed that daily spare time, autistic traits, and ADHD symptoms were positively associated with the severity of IGD in adults, after controlling for demographic variables. Future studies are required in order to explore factors linked to IGD in adults.

Case Report: Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic Associated Gaming Disorder

Background: Self-quarantine and social distancing are one of the numerous impacts of COVID-19 pandemic that leads individuals to spend much more time at home which in turn interestingly contributes to the increased number of gaming disorder cases. Gaming disorder is defined as a negative behavioural pattern that is characterized by excessive time spent on playing games and losing self-control in terms of playing games that causes neglect of other daily activities or interests. Case Report: We are reporting a case of gaming disorder in a 25-year-old man, D, through this COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: We suggest that there is an association between psychosocial stressors and environment with psychiatric conditions. Further study is recommended to more holistically understand this particular gaming disorder.

Measuring Problematic Internet Use, Internet Gaming Disorder and Social Media Addiction in young adults: A cross-sectional study

Background

Digital technology use is nearly ubiquitous among young adults; this use provides both benefits and risks. The risks of technology use include maladaptive technology use or technology addiction. Several conceptualizations of these addictions have emerged, each with its own assessment tools. These conditions include problematic internet use (PIU), internet gaming disorder (IGD), and social media addiction (SMA). These conditions have been associated with health outcomes such as problematic alcohol use, sleep disorders, and mental illness. These maladaptive technology conditions have been most commonly studied in isolation from each other.

Objective

The aim of this study is to examine PIU, IGD, and SMA together to better inform future research approaches and provider screening practices for young adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey study was conducted using Qualtrics panel-based recruitment and survey hosting. We recruited US young adults aged 18-25 years. The survey assessed PIU, IGD, and SMA. Survey measures also included assessments of problematic alcohol use, sleep, depression, and anxiety. We evaluated the frequency of and overlap in positive screening scores among PIU, IGD, and SMA and modeled each condition using multivariate logistic regression. Finally, we calculated sensitivity and specificity, as well as the positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the screening tools using the most prevalent maladaptive technology type.

Results

Our 6000 participants had an average age of 21.7 (SD 2.5) years. Of these 6000 participants, 3062 (51.03%) were female, 3431 (57.18%) were Caucasian, 1686 (28.1%) were in a 4-year college program, and 2319 (38.65%) worked full time. The mean PIU score was 3.5 (SD 3.1), and 53.58% (3215/6000) of participants met the criteria for PIU. The mean IGD score was 2.7 (SD 2.6), and 24.33% (1460/6000) of participants met the criteria for IGD. The mean SMA score was 7.5 (SD 5.7), and 3.42% (205/6000) met the criteria for SMA. Across all 3 maladaptive technology use diagnoses, there were varied associations with demographic variables and similar overlap with health outcomes. The sensitivity of PIU screening to detect IGD was 82% and to detect SMA was 93%, whereas the specificity and positive predictive value were much lower (37%-54% specificity; 6%-37% positive predictive value).

Conclusions

This cross-sectional survey screened a large national sample of adolescents and young adults for PIU, IGD, and SMA to determine prevalence and overlap, demographic associations with each, and associations between these technology-related conditions and health outcomes. There was overlap across PIU, IGD, and SMA in some associated demographic variables and health outcomes. However, the patterns in the associated variables demonstrated unique qualities of each of these conditions.

Factors related to Internet and game addiction among adolescents: A scoping review

Background

Understanding factors influencing Internet and game addiction in children and adolescents is very important to prevent negative consequences; however, the existing factors in the literature remain inconclusive.

Objective

This study aims to systematically map the existing literature of factors related to Internet and game addiction in adolescents.

Methods

A scoping review was completed using three databases - Science Direct, PROQUEST Dissertations and Theses, and Google Scholar, which covered the years between 2009 to July 2020. Quality appraisal and data extraction were presented. A content analysis was used to synthesize the results.

Results

Ultimately, 62 studies met inclusion criteria. There were 82 associated factors identified and grouped into 11 categories, including (1) socio-demographic characteristics, (2) parental and family factors, (3) device ownership, Internet access and location, social media, and the game itself, (4) personality/traits, psychopathology factors, self-efficacy, (5) education and school factors, (6) perceived enjoyment, (7) perceived benefits, (8) health-compromising behaviors, (9) peers/friends relationships and supports, (10) life dissatisfaction and stress, and (11) cybersafety.

Conclusion

Internet and game addiction among adolescents are multifactorial. Nurses should consider the factors identified in this study to provide strategies to prevent and reduce addiction in adolescents.

The prevalence of internet gaming disorder among medical students at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study

Objectives:

To estimate the prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD) among King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia medical students and to determine the association of IGD with gender, age, academic achievement, amount of sleep, and accommodation.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study between October 2019 and April 2020 on KSU medical students with a sample size of 281 medical students currently studying at KSU chosen by a stratified proportionate random sampling. The questionnaire contained the IGD short scale and questions eliciting demographic data.

Results:

The sample comprised of 228 responses. The prevalence of IGD was 8.8% (n=20), while 19.3% (n=44) of the participants were risky gamers. There was a significant association (p=0.0040) between IGD and gender, with 10.1% (n = 15) of males having IGD compared to 6.3% (n=5) of females. Additionally, 25% (n = 37) of males were risky gamers, as compared to 8.8% (n=7) of females.

Conclusion:

There is a high prevalence of internet gaming disorder among KSU medical students, with higher frequency among males. However, there was no significant association between this disorder and age, sleep, academic achievement, or accommodation.

Association between problematic internet use and behavioral/emotional problems among Chinese adolescents: the mediating role of sleep disorders

Background

Studies that focus on the relationships of problematic Internet use (PIU), sleep disorders, and behavioral/emotional problems were limited. This study aimed to explore (1) the relationship between PIU and behavioral/emotional problems among Chinese adolescents and (2) whether sleep disorders mediate the relationship between PIU and behavioral/emotional problems.

Methods

A total of 1,976 adolescents were recruited by cluster sampling from ten secondary schools in Guangzhou between January and April 2019, and 1,956 of them provided valid information (response rate: 98.9% ). Among them, 50.8% were males and the mean age was 13.6±1.5 years, ranging from 11 to 18 years. Data on behavioral/emotional problems, sleep disorders, and PIU were collected using a self-reported questionnaire. Linear regression models and mediation analyses were performed.

Results

Of the participants, 14.5% (284/1,956) reported moderate to severe PIU, and their average score for total difficulties was significantly higher than the score for average users (14.9±5.5 Vs 9.8±4.7). After adjusting for controlled variables, PIU was further proven to be positively related to elevated levels of behavioral/emotional problems (unstandardized β = 0.16, p < 0.05). In addition, sleep disorders partially mediated the forgoing associations.

Conclusions

Adolescents with problematic Internet habits were at higher risk of developing behavioral and emotional problems than their normal-use peers, and sleep disorders partially mediated the effect. Close attention and effective guidance for adolescents with PIU and behavioral/emotional problems were recommended for parents and schools.

Adolescent gaming and social media usage before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about a potential increase of addictive behaviors. Adolescents are considered particularly vulnerable to a problematic usage of digital applications. For the first systematic investigation of screen time and problematic usage patterns over the course of the pandemic, a pre-pandemic survey on adolescent social media (SM) and gaming use was extended to a longitudinal study. Here we present the results of the first two measurements points (pre-pandemic/under lockdown). Methods: A representative sample of 1,221 adolescents (10–17 years) participated in an online survey in 09/2019, 824 of them in 04/2020. Prevalence rates were measured at baseline with standardized scales covering ICD-11 criteria for problematic usage patterns. These were statistically compared and related to pre- and under-lockdown screen time. Results: Pre-pandemic prevalence rates for pathological SM/gaming were about 3 % each, for at-risk usage 8–10 % including more boys than girls. Usage frequencies and screen times significantly increased under the lockdown. The predictive value of usage patterns for screen time decreased from before to during the lockdown. Changes in screen time could not be predicted by the usage pattern. Discussion: The stability of the observed rates and effects should be further examined over the course of the pandemic. This will lead to relevant implications for prevention measures and the allocation of intervention resources.

Validity and Psychometric Properties of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale in Three Large Independent Samples of Children and Adolescents

Background: Problematic gaming has become a major health issue in children and adolescents resulting in the need for targeted valid and reliable screening instruments. This study aimed to explore the psychometric properties and criterion validity of the widely used 9-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS) in young gamers. Methods: Three independent samples were drawn from socio-demographically representative cross-sectional telephone surveys collected in the years 2016 (N = 762), 2017 (N = 777), and 2018 (N = 784) and analyzed separately. Results: The IGDS revealed psychometric properties suitable for screening in large samples. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.563, 0.724, and 0.778. The unidimensionality assumption was challenged. At-risk and pathological gamers compared to normal gamers reported longer digital media use and more emotional symptoms and hyperactivity/inattention with clinical relevance to medium effect sizes. The comparison of at-risk and pathological gamers indicated a partial distinction between the two problematic gaming groups. Conclusions: The IGDS could be shown to be an overall suitable and valid tool to identify pathological gamers in childhood and adolescence according to the DSM-5 criteria on a population level. However, the polythetic structure limits comparability with the recent ICD-11 criteria. At-risk gamers appeared as a heterogeneous group warranting more research.

Application of the eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases gaming disorder criteria to treatment-seeking patients: Comparison with the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Internet gaming disorder criteria

The World Health Organization included gaming disorder (GD) in the eleventh revision of International Classification of Diseases in 2019. Due to the lack of diagnostic tools for GD, a definition has not been adequately applied. Therefore, this study aimed to apply an operationalized definition of GD to treatment-seekers. The relationship between the diagnoses of GD and Internet gaming disorder (IGD) in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders was also examined. Methods: Study participants comprised 241 treatment-seekers who had engaged in excessive gaming and experienced related problems. Psychiatrists applied the GD diagnostic criteria to the participants using a diagnostic form developed for this study. Information on gaming behavior and functional impairment was obtained through face-to-face interviews conducted by clinical psychologists. Results: In total, 78.4 and 83.0% of the participants fulfilled the GD and IGD diagnostic criteria, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of GD diagnosis were both high when the IGD diagnosis was used as the gold standard. Participants with GD preferred online PC and console games, spent significantly more time gaming, and showed a higher level of functional impairment compared to those who did not fulfill the GD diagnostic criteria. Discussion and Conclusion: The definition of GD can be successfully applied to treatment-seekers with excessive gaming and related problems. A high concordance of GD and IGD diagnoses was found in those participants with relatively severe symptoms. The development and validation of a diagnostic tool for GD should be explored in future studies.

Impaired disengagement of attention from computer-related stimuli in Internet Gaming Disorder: Behavioral and electrophysiological evidence

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Attentional biases contribute to the maintenance of addictive behaviors. For the problematic use of online gaming - recognized as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) - first evidence points to a bias towards in-game stimuli. This study aimed to provide behavioral and electrophysiological evidence for a generalized bias towards computer-related stimuli, and to identify the specific attentional processes contributing to this bias: facilitated attention deployment, impaired disengagement or failed suppression.

METHOD

Twenty participants with IGD and 23 casual gamers performed a visual search task with photographs of real-world objects. Either the target or a to-be-ignored distractor was addiction-relevant (computer-related), whereas all other items were addiction-irrelevant (related to cars or sport). Event-related potential components associated with facilitated attentional deployment to the target (NT), its post-selection processing (SPCN), and suppression of irrelevant information (PD) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Unlike casual gamers, gamers with IGD exhibited prolonged reaction times and increased SPCN amplitudes for computer-related stimuli, reflecting their continued attentional processing. At the individual level, larger SPCN amplitudes were associated with longer delays in reaction time.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This pattern of results indicates that the disengagement of attention from computer-related stimuli is impaired in IGD. More generally, our findings demonstrate that conditioning processes occur in IGD, and thus open up new avenues for treatment.

Video gaming addiction and its association with memory, attention and learning skills in Lebanese children

BACKGROUND

Examining whether any association exists between addiction to video games and cognitive abilities in children could inform ongoing prevention and management of any possible harm. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between addiction to video games, and memory, attention and learning abilities among a sample of Lebanese school children.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study, conducted between January and May 2019, enrolled 566 school children aged between 9 and 13 years. Three private schools were chosen conveniently for this study. Students were randomly chosen from the list given by the school administration. The students' parents are those who responded to the questionnaire.

RESULTS

The results showed that higher addiction to video gaming salience was significantly associated with worse episodic memory, problem solving, basic reading skills, written expression skills and worse clinical attention. Higher addiction to video gaming tolerance were significantly associated with worse novel problem solving and worse attention. Higher addiction to video gaming withdrawal were significantly associated with worse attention, factual memory, attention, processing speed, visual spatial organization, sustained sequential processing, working memory, novel problem solving and worse written expression skills.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest a correlation between addiction to video games and worse memory, attention, as well as cognitive and academic abilities among school children. Those findings indicate the need for more extensive research, and serve to highlight vital next steps needed in future papers, such as identifying predicting factors that could aid in early detection of video gaming addiction in children.

Relationship between internet addiction and mental health in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Internet addiction (IA) currently is the major public health concern, especially in adolescents, although the results of previous reports are not generally uniform. This study was conducted to determine IA in adolescents and to examine the correlation of IA with mental health in adolescents.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 in Ilam city. In this study, 362 persons were included using stratified cluster sampling; clusters were geographical area and schools. The valid questionnaires including Internet Addiction Test and 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to interview. The correlation statistical technique was used to determine the association between the two variables. The significance level was considered <0.05.

RESULTS

The mean ± standard deviation age of the responders was 16.40 ± 2.47 years; the total score of IA and mental health was 43.02 ± 16.50 and 19.27 ± 9.72, respectively. We found that 5.5% of the adolescents had a severe level of IA. The lack of control with anxiety, neglect work and social dysfunction, and neglect social life and severe depression in internet users were found to be statistically significant: r (365) = 0.151, P < 0.033; r (365) = 0.126, P < 0.021; and r (365) = 0.125, P < 0.033, two-tailed, respectively.

CONCLUSION

According to the results, the excessive use of internet, lack of control, and neglect social life are significantly correlated with mental health in adolescents; these results could be contribute to improve the theoretical models for IA in adolescents.

Self-Reported and Parental Assessments of Internet Gaming Disorder, and Their Accordance with DSM-5 Criteria in a Clinical Relevant Population

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is of growing importance as a research field and in clinical settings, as documented by the inclusion of the diagnosis in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the preliminary International Classification of Diseases. Studies using screening tools to assess IGD and comparison with expert evaluations in clinical relevant populations are rare. Furthermore, concerned parents are often the first source of information in clinical practice, and their assessment of addictive behavior often differs widely from their child's self-evaluation. In two studies (N = 95) we investigated the usefulness of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) with adolescents at risk of IGD, either in parental company (Study 1) or alone (Study 2). Self-reported assessments on the scales were compared with parental ratings (only Study 1) and an expert face-to-face evaluation according to DSM-5 (both studies). We found higher correlations between expert evaluations of IGD criteria and screening scores for self-reported compared with parental ratings. Quality of categorization into persons with and without IGD confirmed that parental assessments were not conclusive in this setting. In this context, different cutoff values, sensitivity, and specificity for the screening instruments are discussed. We conclude that IAT and CIUS provide tentative usefulness for self-evaluation of adolescents at risk of IGD, and suggestions for using different cutoff scores for varying purposes are provided. In our study, parental assessments on the screening tools lead to an overestimation of IGD and are, therefore, not recommended as a sole source of information in clinical settings.

Prevalence and risk factors for internet gaming disorder

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD) and associated risk factors in a sample of secondary and postsecondary students from a public federal institution of higher education (Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia) in Southern Brazil.

METHODS

The study included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-BR), the Mini-Social Phobia Inventory (Mini-SPIN), and the Game Addiction Scale (GAS). Finally, IGD was measured with the Brazilian version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), which has been psychometrically validated in this population.

RESULTS

Overall, 38.2% (n=212) of the sample exhibited IGD symptoms, with 18.2% (n=101) being classed as at-risk gamers. Regression analysis found IGD to be associated with male gender, severe depressive symptoms, poor sleep quality, increased time spent gaming, and total free time spent gaming (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of IGD in this sample was relatively high, and associated risk factors found were similar to those previously reported in the literature. Further studies investigating the epidemiology of IGD in Brazilian samples are warranted to better understand treatment needs and inform preventive measures in this population.

Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the 7-item game addiction scale (GAS) among Chinese college students

BACKGROUND

The 7-item Gaming Addiction Scale (GAS) has been used as a screening tool for addictive game use worldwide, and this study aimed to examine its psychometric properties and measurement invariance among college students in China.

METHODS

Full-time students from multiple colleges in China were recruited. A total of 1040 completed questionnaires were used in the final analysis. Reliability of the GAS was assessed by internal consistency and split-half reliability. Validity of the GAS was assessed by structural validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and concurrent validity. A series of Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MG-CFA) were conducted to test and establish measurement invariance across gender, class standing, family income and parental educational level.

RESULTS

Exploratory factor analysis revealed a unidimensional structure of the GAS. The GAS exhibited excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.951, theta coefficient = 0.953, omega coefficient = 0.959) and structural validity (χ² /df = 0.877 (p < 0.05), CFI = 0.999, TIL = 0.996, RMSEA =0.000). Concurrent validity of the GAS was confirmed by its correlation with problematic internet use, sleep quality, nine dimensions of psychiatric symptoms, and substance use. The GAS also demonstrated measurement invariance across father's educational level (Δχ2 (df) = 19.128 (12), ΔCFI = - 0.009, ΔRMSEA = 0.010 for weak factorial model; Δχ2 (df) = 50.109 (42), ΔCFI = - 0.010, ΔRMSEA = 0.007 for strict factorial model.) and mother's educational level (Δχ2 (df) = 6.679 (12), ΔCFI = 0.007, ΔRMSEA = - 0.010 for weak factorial model; Δχ2 (df) =49.131 (42), ΔCFI = - 0.009, ΔRMSEA = - 0.004 for strict factorial model), as well as partial measurement invariance across gender (except for item 2), class standing (except for item 7) and family income (except for item 5).

CONCLUSIONS

The Chinese version of the 7-item GAS can be an adequate assessment tool to assess internet gaming disorder among the college student population in China.

Need for systematic screening for IGD in adolescent psychiatric inpatients

Psychiatric comorbidities are frequent in adolescents with internet gaming disorder (IGD). In contrast, the proportion of IGD among adolescents hospitalized for a psychiatric disorder has not been documented yet. In addition, parental ratings of IGD could be useful for diagnosis, but very few data exist on this issue. The objectives of this study were to: (1) assess the prevalence of IGD among adolescent psychiatric inpatients, using the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10), and (2) assess the parental version developed for this study (IGDT-10-P). A total of 102 patients, aged from 12 to 17 years old, were included from four psychiatric units of the French region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, during a 6-month inclusion period. Adolescents completed the IGDT-10 while one of their parents completed the IGDT-10-P. The inclusion rate among the eligible population was 57.95%. The prevalence of IGD in the sample, based on the IGDT-10 and IGDT-10-P, was 6.00% and 12.79%, respectively. Psychometric features of the IGDT-10-P indicated excellent internal consistency, a good model fit to the one factor model in confirmatory factor analysis, a strong correlation with gaming time, and a moderate correlation with the IGDT-10. Our results support the need for a systematic screening of IGD among adolescents hospitalized for a psychiatric disorder. Future studies should aim to confirm and explain the prevalence gap between self- and parent-reported criteria.

Who becomes addicted and to what? psychosocial predictors of substance and behavioral addictive disorders

A multitude of psychological and social factors likely contribute to the development and maintenance of addictive disorders. As different people develop different addictions, it is important to understand whether psychosocial factors are related differently to different types of addictive disorders. In this study, we examined the unique interaction of personality traits, family environment, and life events in predicting substance (drugs, alcohol) and behavioral (gambling, sex) addictive disorders, among 207 participants suffering from an addictive disorder and 79 controls. Results identified several psychosocial factors, including impulsivity and reported negative life events, that predicted all types of addictive disorders. There was also a unique prediction model for each addiction. Drug and alcohol use disorders were predicted by lower agreeableness and less intellectual-cultural family orientation, with alcohol use disorder further predicted by lower extraversion and higher family organization. Gambling disorder was predicted by a family with lower intellectual-cultural orientation and higher organization and control, whereas compulsive sexual behavior was predicted by lower extraversion and agreeableness and higher neuroticism, and by higher family control. These findings suggest that the complex interplay among psychosocial factors is manifested differently across addictive disorders and may thus have important implications for research, prevention, and intervention.

The relationship between maladaptive personality functioning and problematic technology use in adolescence: A cluster analysis approach

In the last two decades, scientific research has explored the problematic use of internet, videogames and mobile phones. However, there is still little consistent knowledge regarding the co-occurrence of problematic technology use and the role of maladaptive personality characteristics in adolescence. The present study aimed to investigate adolescents' styles of technology use with a cluster analysis approach focusing on personality functioning. The sample comprised 408 Italian adolescents (46.3% males) aged 11 to 18 years (M _age  = 13.80; SD = 2.08). Data were collected using the Internet Addiction Test, the Videogame Dependency Scale, the Test of Mobile-Phone Dependence Brief Form and the Personality Inventory for DSM5 Brief Form. Results provided a four-cluster solution based on the co-occurrence of problematic technology use. The four clusters were labeled as follows: cluster 1: "Above average internet and mobile-phone use"; cluster 2: "Below average technology use"; cluster 3: "Above average videogame use"; and cluster 4: "Problematic technology use." Analyses on demographic variables (e.g., gender and age) demonstrated significant differences between the four groups. Adolescents with high levels of problematic technology use reported greater overall personality dysfunction than the other three groups. This finding supported our hypothesis on maladaptive personality functioning in adolescents at risk for addiction. Finally, the Antagonism domain played a specific role in differentiating the severity of adolescents' involvement in technology use. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and to plan preventive interventions as well as therapeutic treatments.

Gaming disorder: what doctors need to know

Playing video games (online or offline) is not a recent phenomenon and for most people it is a leisure activity with no adverse consequences whatsoever. However, for a small minority, gaming has the potential (akin to substance use) to lead on to problematic gaming and gaming disorder. Gaming disorder is a new entry in both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International Classification of Diseases. Given gaming's ever-growing popularity, GPs, psychiatrists and other doctors will be increasingly likely to come across individuals who present with gaming-related problems. Consequently, this article gives doctors a basic understanding of what gaming disorder is, its presentations in practice and diagnosis, and its treatment.

Conduct problems and depressive symptoms in association with problem gambling and gaming: A systematic review

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Behavioral addictions such as gambling and gaming disorder are significant public health issues that are of increasing importance to policy makers and health care providers. Problem gambling and gaming behaviors have been identified as being associated with externalizing and internalizing problems, with theoretical models suggesting that both conduct problems and depressive symptoms may be significant risk factors in the development of problem gambling and gaming. As such, the purpose of this systematic review is to provide an overview of research identifying the relationship between conduct problems, depressive symptoms and problem gambling and gaming among adolescents and young adults.

METHODS

Systematic literature searches in accordance with PRISMA guidelines found 71 eligible studies that met the inclusion criteria, 47 for problem gambling, 23 for problem gaming and one for both problem behaviors.

RESULTS

Based on cross-sectional evidence, both problem gambling and gaming are consistently concurrently associated with conduct problems and depressive symptoms. Longitudinal evidence appears to be clearer for conduct problems as a risk factor for problem gambling, and depressive symptoms as a risk factor for problem gaming. However, both risk factors appear to increase the risk for these problem behaviors.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Results from the literature review suggest that problem gambling and gaming are associated with the presence of conduct problems and depressive symptoms, with the potential of sharing common etiological factors. Additional research is necessary to confirm these longitudinal relationships with an emphasis on investigating the interaction of both early conduct problems and depressive symptoms.