The role of family and personality traits in Internet gaming disorder: A mediation model combining cognitive and attachment perspectives

Evaluation of Problematic Video Game Use in Adolescents with ADHD and without ADHD: New Evidence and Recommendations

Video game addiction among adolescents, particularly those with ADHD, is a significant concern. To gather more insights into video game usage patterns in this population, we investigated levels of potentially problematic use, passion, motivations, and emotional/behavioral symptoms in adolescents with and without ADHD. Our cross-sectional, multicenter study involved 2513 subjects (Age M = 15.07; SD = 2.82) from 24 schools in Galicia (Spain), including 158 (6.3%) diagnosed with ADHD. We employed an ad hoc questionnaire covering sociodemographic data and ADHD diagnosis, the Questionnaire of Experiences Associated with Video Games (CERV), the scale of passion for video games, reasons for playing video games Questionaire (VMQ), and emotional/behavioral problems assessment (SDQ). Results indicated heightened vulnerability in adolescents with ADHD, manifesting in longer usage durations and higher problematic use scores. Interestingly, ADHD medication did not affect internet gaming disorder development. Motivations for gaming differed between groups, with the ADHD cohort showing distinctions in cognitive development, coping, and violent reward. Additionally, the ADHD group exhibited greater emotional/behavioral symptoms, hyperactivity, and reduced prosocial behavior.

The latent profile analysis of Chinese adolescents' gaming disorder: examination and validation

BACKGROUND

Gaming disorder is a new disease, which is included in the disease unit of disorder caused by addiction in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases. This study examined the symptom characteristics of gaming disorders in Chinese adolescents using the latent profile analysis.

METHODS

Totally, 5988 students (including 3285 boys and 2703 girls; aged 12-18 years) from junior high schools and senior high schools were enrolled. The Gaming Disorder Symptom Questionnaire-21 (GDSQ-21) was used to screen gaming disorder. A latent profile analysis was used for classifying the subgroups based on the extent of gaming usage. The relationship between adolescent gamers and demographic variables was analyzed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

The results of latent profile analysis supported the models of four latent profiles, which were defined as healthy gamers (Profile 1, 56.83%), impaired control gamers (Profile 2, 26.09%), impaired control-game priority gamers (Profile 3, 9.72%) and gamers with disorder (Profile 4, 7.36%), respectively. Logistic regression analysis found that, compared with girls, boys were more likely to be classified into the group dominated by the impaired gamers, the impaired control-game priority gamers, and the gamers with disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted that the latent profile analysis identified four different groups of adolescent gamers, showing a clearer conceptualization of heterogeneous gamers. Gender and average weekly gaming time can predict the latent profile of adolescents. Our findings may facilitate the design of individualized assessment and early intervention programs for adolescent gamer users based on different gaming usage symptoms.

Communication Patterns of Muslim Communities' After Involvement in the Pela Gandong Ritual in Moluccas Immanuel Church, Indonesia

In this article, the authors discuss the contribution of the target article (Sulaeman et al., Contemporary Islam, 16(2), 225-257, 2022) and further studies on the communication patterns of Muslim communities after involvement in the pela gandong ritual. The target article qualitatively explores identity transformation, employing the theories of ritual processes and civic pluralism. The authors found differences in the meaning and treatment of communication acceptance after involvement with the surrounding environment. After involvement, the authors are interested in conducting a study of the communication patterns of the Muslim community and with other involved and uninvolved individuals, such as family, friends in the village and outside the village, and fellow members of the pela gandong ritual. Detailed exploration is needed to clarify the after-effects of involvement. The authors found that communication patterns related to forms of communication through verbal and nonverbal communication were classified into six categories: (1) spiritual communication, (2) family communication, (3) community communication, (4) cross-religious communication, (5) religious organization communication, and (6) government communication. The authors argue that the Muslim community faces psychological disorders of intrapersonal and interpersonal communication after involvement. This study contributes to the acceptance of different religious contexts, and there is no difference in the social context daily with the application of religious values and local traditions. Strengthening acceptance of treatment is very important for overcoming disharmony that reflects human values such as self-identity. This contribution is very important in the digital era to influence cross-religion by building kinship bonds of social identity.

Mediating effects of attention problems on the link between parenting style and internet gaming disorder in adolescents

Background

Positive and negative parenting styles as well as psychiatric comorbidities including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been associated with internet gaming disorder (IGD) in children and adolescents. We hypothesized that ADHD and parenting style would be associated with IGD in adolescents. In addition, psychological status could mediate the link between parenting style and the severity of IGD.

Methods

A total of 256 adolescents with IGD and 211 healthy internet game players and their mothers participated in the current study. Demographic data, gaming patterns, and psychological status including ADHD were recorded for all adolescents. The parenting style of each adolescent's mother was assessed using the Maternal Behavior Research Instrument (Korean version).

Results

There were significant differences in the internet game play patterns, psychological status, and parenting styles between the IGD group and healthy internet game players. In the hierarchical logistic regression analysis, higher ADHD scores, less affective parenting styles, and less autonomous parenting styles, were significant predictors of IGD. In the mediation test, the ADHD score was found to mediate the association between affective and autonomous parenting styles and the severity of IGD.

Conclusion

Attention problems could directly and indirectly mediate the relationship between positive parenting styles and the severity of IGD. Our findings have the potential to aid in the development of treatment plans for IGD and ADHD as well as to contribute to the development of educational resources regarding parenting styles.

Biopsychosocial factors of gaming disorder: a systematic review employing screening tools with well-defined psychometric properties

Background and aims

Considering the growing number of gamers worldwide and increasing public concerns regarding the negative consequences of problematic gaming, the aim of the present systematic review was to provide a comprehensive overview of gaming disorder (GD) by identifying empirical studies that investigate biological, psychological, and social factors of GD using screening tools with well-defined psychometric properties.

Materials and methods

A systematic literature search was conducted through PsycINFO, PubMed, RISS, and KISS, and papers published up to January 2022 were included. Studies were screened based on the GD diagnostic tool usage, and only five scales with well-established psychometric properties were included. A total of 93 studies were included in the synthesis, and the results were classified into three groups based on biological, psychological, and social factors.

Results

Biological factors (n = 8) included reward, self-concept, brain structure, and functional connectivity. Psychological factors (n = 67) included psychiatric symptoms, psychological health, emotion regulation, personality traits, and other dimensions. Social factors (n = 29) included family, social interaction, culture, school, and social support.

Discussion

When the excess amount of assessment tools with varying psychometric properties were controlled for, mixed results were observed with regards to impulsivity, social relations, and family-related factors, and some domains suffered from a lack of study results to confirm any relevant patterns.

Conclusion

More longitudinal and neurobiological studies, consensus on a diagnostic tool with well-defined psychometric properties, and an in-depth understanding of gaming-related factors should be established to settle the debate regarding psychometric weaknesses of the current diagnostic system and for GD to gain greater legitimacy in the field of behavioral addiction.

"I have no control over how much time I play" the metacognitions about online gaming scale: Evidence from a cross-cultural validation among Israeli adolescents

In the current study we evaluated the psychometric properties of the Metacognitions about Online Gaming Scale (MOGS), including its factor structure, reliability, and predictive validity among Israeli adolescents in a six-month prospective study. We also examined the usefulness of the MOGS as a mediator of the effect of attachment patterns on Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), the preference for online social interactions, and the motives for online gaming. The study population included 1,056 Israeli adolescents (610 males and 446 females, M = 15.77, standard deviation (SD) = 1.43) with an age range of 13-18 years. The participants completed the translated Hebrew version of the MOGS and measures on attachment style, IGD, preference for online social interactions, emotion regulation, and motives for online gaming. The analyses indicated that the factorial structure of the Hebrew MOGS comprised the expected two factors at T1 and T2 (a six-month follow-up). We also found that positive and negative metacognitions significantly mediated the effect of attachment styles on IGD, the preference for online social interactions, and the motives for online gaming. The findings provide evidence that the Hebrew MOGS among Israeli adolescents appears psychometrically appropriate for use by researchers and practitioners dealing with the prevention and treatment of IGD.

Problematic Media Use among Children up to the Age of 10: A Systematic Literature Review

INTRODUCTION

Digital screen media use has significantly grown in all age groups and at an increasingly young age, including toddlers, schoolers, and primary school children. Although there is evidence that excessive early childhood media exposure can lead to several negative developmental outcomes, no systematic review on Problematic Media Use (PMU) of children under 10 years old have been provided. The aim of the present systematic review was to identify (i) the main instruments used to measure children's PMU across different studies; (ii) the risk and protective factors which might increase or reduce children's PMU; and (iii) the negative outcomes associated with children's PMU.

METHODS

This study was conducted following the systematic review guidelines proposed in the PRISMA statement. A total of 35 studies published between 2012-2022 and with a mean sample age between 0 and 10 years old were ultimately included in this literature review.

RESULTS

Use of media for more than 2 h a day, male gender, and higher age increased the risk of developing PMU among children. PMU led to several negative consequences for children's development and well-being (e.g., more problematic behaviors, sleep problems, higher depressive symptoms, lower emotional intelligence, and lower academic achievements). Children who experienced negative psychological symptoms, a dysfunctional parent-child relationship, and difficulties in school context were more prone to develop PMU. However, an authoritative parenting style and restrictive parental mediation reduced the risk of developing PMU among children. Finally, self-report measures specifically designed to get the younger children's perspective are still few and not so widely used.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this research field is still in its infancy and needs further investigation. Likely, a dysfunctional family system can lead children to experience emotional distress and negative psychological symptoms, which they try to manage by escaping into the virtual world, thus increasing the risk of developing PMU. As the children's PMU is closely affected by the family environment, future prevention interventions should target both children and their parents to improve their self-regulatory and mentalizing capabilities, as well as parental mediation strategies and general parenting practices.

Adolescent problematic gaming and its association with maternal behaviors: A dyadic study focusing on the relational-emotional correlates

INTRODUCTION

Associations between Problematic Gaming (PG) and the relational-emotional correlates of parenting have been reported in the literature. Previous research mostly collected information from adolescents, however, and suggested that little is known about the perceptions of parents and whether these are shared among parent-adolescent dyads. Therefore, this study aimed to (a) examine multiple informants' reports of adolescent PG and maternal behaviors (i.e., warmth and indifference) and (b) disentangle the associations between the behaviors shared by mothers and adolescents from those unique to each member.

METHOD

Data were collected by using self-administered online questionnaires from 137 Italian mother-adolescent dyads in Italy. The mean age of adolescents (n = 92 males, n = 42 females, n = 3 nonbinary) was 14.68 (±1.25) years and that of mothers 47.48 (±4.69) years. Descriptive statistics and common fate model (CFM) analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Mothers reported higher scores of their offspring's PG. Within-reporter interclass correlations revealed positive associations between maternal indifference and adolescent PG for both informants. CFM indicated that correlations between maternal behaviors and adolescent PG based on shared perceptions did not reach statistical significance, whereas correlations based on unique mothers' perceptions were statistically significant for all the observed relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

In the context of adolescent PG, mothers may have a heightened motivation to perceive their parenting as crucial. The multi-informant approach allows a more accurate examination of the associations between adolescent PG and maternal behaviors and underscores the need to consider discordant assessment of the same phenomenon between mothers and adolescents.

Gaming disorder: A summary of its characteristics and aetiology

The emergence, development, and maintenance of gaming disorder (GD) is the result of an interplay between gaming-related factors, individual factors, and environmental factors. None of these alone are sufficient to cause a disordered state, but it is the interactive co-occurrence of all these factors, which in some cases leads to GD. The goal of the present paper is to discuss in detail these three factors based on relevant and recent findings of the literature. Among gaming-related factors, we discuss online vs. offline videogames, the role of game genres, structural characteristics, game design elements, as well as some important monetization techniques. Among individual factors demographic risk factors, personality traits, motivational factors, comorbid psychopathology, genetic predisposition, and neurobiological processes are considered. Finally, among environmental factors we discuss family factors, early life experiences, the role of peers and school-related factors, as well as the broader context of culture including the popularity of esports.

The Impact of Parental and Peer Attachment on Gaming Addiction among Out-of-School Adolescents in South Korea: The Mediating Role of Social Stigma

Most studies on gaming addiction have targeted adolescents in schools, while studies on gaming addiction among out-of-school adolescents remain scarce. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of parental and peer attachment on gaming addiction, mediated by social stigma among Korean out-of-school adolescents. The Dropout Youth Panel Survey was used for a sample of 437 dropout adolescents. The results showed that out-of-school adolescents' social stigma fully mediated the relationship between parental and peer attachment and gaming addiction. Parental attachment significantly predicted out-of-school adolescents' gaming addiction by decreasing their social stigma. Peer attachment also influenced gaming addiction in out-of-school adolescents via the mediated effects of social stigma. No direct effect of parental and peer attachment on gaming addiction was found. Social stigma played an important role in decreasing levels of gaming addiction. In addition, our study revealed that the direct and total effects of parental attachment on gaming addiction were greater than the effect of peer attachment. This study empirically verified the importance of social stigma based on modified labeling theory and provides a valid mechanism to describe how Korean out-of-school adolescents develop gaming addictions. The findings suggest effective strategies for prevention and treatment for dropout adolescents in South Korea.

Advances in problematic usage of the internet research - A narrative review by experts from the European network for problematic usage of the internet

Global concern about problematic usage of the internet (PUI), and its public health and societal costs, continues to grow, sharpened in focus under the privations of the COVID-19 pandemic. This narrative review reports the expert opinions of members of the largest international network of researchers on PUI in the framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action (CA 16207), on the scientific progress made and the critical knowledge gaps remaining to be filled as the term of the Action reaches its conclusion. A key advance has been achieving consensus on the clinical definition of various forms of PUI. Based on the overarching public health principles of protecting individuals and the public from harm and promoting the highest attainable standard of health, the World Health Organisation has introduced several new structured diagnoses into the ICD-11, including gambling disorder, gaming disorder, compulsive sexual behaviour disorder, and other unspecified or specified disorders due to addictive behaviours, alongside naming online activity as a diagnostic specifier. These definitions provide for the first time a sound platform for developing systematic networked research into various forms of PUI at global scale. Progress has also been made in areas such as refining and simplifying some of the available assessment instruments, clarifying the underpinning brain-based and social determinants, and building more empirically based etiological models, as a basis for therapeutic intervention, alongside public engagement initiatives. However, important gaps in our knowledge remain to be tackled. Principal among these include a better understanding of the course and evolution of the PUI-related problems, across different age groups, genders and other specific vulnerable groups, reliable methods for early identification of individuals at risk (before PUI becomes disordered), efficacious preventative and therapeutic interventions and ethical health and social policy changes that adequately safeguard human digital rights. The paper concludes with recommendations for achievable research goals, based on longitudinal analysis of a large multinational cohort co-designed with public stakeholders.

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.

Online gaming addiction in youth: Some comments on Rosendo-Rios et al. (2022)

A recent systematic review examining online gaming addiction among children and young adults was published in Addictive Behaviors (i.e., Rosendo-Rios, Trott & Shukla, 2022). However, dozens of papers were missing from the review. One of the reasons why so many studies were not in the review is likely to be because of the search terms used. None of the search terms included the words 'adolescent', 'adolescence', 'emerging adults', 'excessive gaming', 'gaming disorder', 'video game addiction' or 'problematic gaming'. Moreover, studies were also included in the review if the mean age of the total sample was 25 years or below. This meant that some studies in the review included some participants who were not children, adolescents or emerging adults. It also meant that many studies were not included that had mean ages below the age of 26 years because they were not picked up by the search strategy. Given the high number of studies that were not included in the review, readers should view this systematic review as 'suggestive' of research in the area of problematic gaming in youth rather than 'definitive'.

The Effects of Playing Video Games on Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Loneliness, and Gaming Disorder During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic: PRISMA Systematic Review

During the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, playing video games has been much more than just a pastime. Studies suggested that video games for many individuals have helped to cope with such difficult life experience. However, other research indicates that gaming may have had harmful effects. Within this context, this systematic review aimed to describe the literature on the effects of video games during the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis on stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and gaming disorder (GD), examining the study characteristics and outcomes. A systematic search of the literature was made following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. It was preregistered in the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (INPLASY)-INPLASY202180053. The search databases were PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Medline. The search string was: [("video game*") OR ("computer game*") OR ("gaming")] AND [("COVID-19")]. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Four research explored the effects of playing video games during the COVID-19 pandemic on stress, anxiety, and depression. Four studies investigated loneliness, while 18 research investigated game disorder. Video games, especially augmented reality and online multiplayer ones, mitigated stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness among adolescents and young adults during stay-at-home restrictions. However, in the case of at-risk individuals (i.e., particularly male youths), playing video games had detrimental effects.

Symptoms of internet gaming disorder among male college students in Nanchong, China

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the presence of symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and examined associations between IGD and depressive symptoms, family and peer support among male college students in Nanchong, China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2533 male students in three colleges. Background characteristics, depressive symptoms, family and peer support and IGD information were collected. Binary logistic regression was performed to access the relationship between variables and IGD. PROCESS macro was used to examine the mediation analysis of family and peer support on the relationship between depressive symptoms and IGD.

RESULTS

The estimated presence of symptoms of IGD was 11.6%. The most commonly endorsed items were escapism, continuation and preoccupation both among total participates and the IGD group. In the binary logistic regression, general expenditure per month, depressive symptoms, and family and peer support revealed their significance in associations with IGD. Adjusted for the significant background variable, depressive symptoms and family and peer support remained significance. Additionally, family and peer support would attenuate the relationship between depressive symptoms and IGD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that one in ten male college students reported clinically significant IGD symptoms, which indicate that IGD is an important public health problem in Nanchong, China.

Exploring the associated characteristics of Internet gaming disorder from the perspective of various game genres

INTRODUCTION

Although previous studies have reported several characteristics associated with Internet gaming disorder (IGD), the influence of game genre on IGD has rarely been investigated. This study thus aimed to compare demographic characteristics, gaming patterns, personality traits, and gaming motivations among players in different game genres, as well as identify the associated characteristics of genre-specific IGD.

METHODS

Internet games were classified into four types: role-playing games (RPGs), strategy (STR) games, action shooter (ACS) games, and brain and skill (BRS) games. Chinese gamers (n = 5,593) who usually played one of these games completed an anonymous online survey that included sociodemographic characteristics, gaming patterns, gaming motivations, the Chinese version of the Video Gaming Dependency Scale (VGD-S), and the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory Brief Version (CBF-PI-B).

RESULTS

Significant differences were found between the genre-specific groups regarding age, gender, relationship status, VGD-S score, gaming patterns, and personality traits (e.g., RPG and STR players were more vulnerable to developing IGD compared to ACS and BRS players). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the associated characteristics of IGD were slightly different within each genre-specific group after controlling for sociodemographic factors. Among them, daily gaming time and motivation for sensation seeking and escaping reality were associated with IGD development within the genre-specific group.

CONCLUSION

Individuals in each game genre exhibited distinct characteristics that might predict IGD development (e.g., gaming patterns and personality traits). Game genre preferences should be considered in the early prevention and treatment of IGD to help high-risk individuals' recovery. Additionally, more research should be conducted to explore RPG and STR game characteristics.

The Relationship Between Self-Control and Internet Addiction Among Students: A Meta-Analysis

As past studies of self-control and Internet addiction showed mixed results, this meta-analysis of 83 primary studies with 80,681 participants determined whether (a) these students with less self-control had greater Internet addiction, and (b) age, culture, gender, Internet addiction measures, or year moderated these relations. We used a random-effects meta-analysis of Pearson product-moment coefficients r with Fisher’s z-transformation and tested for moderation with the homogeneity tests. The results showed a positive link between impulsivity and Internet addiction (r = 0.371, 95% CI = [0.311, 0.427]) and a negative link between restraint and Internet addiction (r = −0.362, 95% CI = [−0.414, −0.307]). The moderation analysis indicated that the correlation between impulsivity indicators and greater Internet addiction was stronger among undergraduates (18–22 years old) than among adolescents (10–17 years old). Furthermore, the negative link between a restraint indicator and Internet addiction was greater (a) among students in East Asia than those in Western Europe/North America, (b) among males than females and (c) when using the Internet addiction measures GPIUS or IAT rather than CIAS. Hence, these results indicate a negative link between self-control and Internet addiction, and this link is moderated by age, culture, gender, and Internet addiction measure.

Subtyping treatment-seeking gaming disorder patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gaming Disorder (GD) is characterized by a pattern of persistent and uncontrolled gaming behavior that causes a marked impairment in important areas of functioning. The evolution of the worldwide incidence of this disorder warrants further studies focused on examining the existence of different subtypes within clinical samples, in order to tailor treatment. This study explored the existence of different profiles of patients seeking treatment for GD through a data-driven approach.

METHODS

The sample included n = 107 patients receiving treatment for GD (92% men and 8% women) ranging between 14 and 60 years old (mean age = 24.1, SD = 10). A two-step clustering analysis approach explored the existence of different underlying GD profiles based on a broad set of indicators, including sociodemographic features, clinical course of the condition (e.g., onset or evolution), psychopathological symptoms, and personality traits.

RESULTS

Two GD profiles emerged. The first cluster grouped together patients who presented with a lower psychological impact (n = 72, 66.1%), whereas the second cluster comprised patients with a higher psychological impact (n = 35, 32.7%). Cluster comparisons revealed that those patients presenting the higher impact were older, with a later onset of pathological gaming patterns, and more pronounced psychopathological symptoms and dysfunctional personality profiles.

CONCLUSIONS

GD severity is influenced by specific demographic, clinical, and psychopathological factors. The identification of two separate profiles provides empirical evidence that contributes to the conceptualization of this disorder, as well as to the development of reliable and valid screening tools and effective intervention plans focused on the precise characteristics of the treatment-seeking patients.

Burden and Help-Seeking Behaviors Linked to Problem Gambling and Gaming: Observational Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

BACKGROUND

Models based on the uniqueness of addiction processes between behavioral addictions are highly contentious, and the inclusion of gaming disorder in the addiction nosography remains controversial. An exploratory approach could clarify a hypothesized common and subjectively identifiable process in addictive behaviors and the necessarily different expressions of the disorder due to behavior specificities, in particular the sociocultural characteristics and profiles of users.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the nature of contacts to a help service by exploring commonality and specificities of burden and help-seeking for problem gambling or gaming.

METHODS

This was an observational quantitative-qualitative study. We included all contacts (ie, online questions and contacts by phone or chat when the helper completed a summary) to a helpline for gamers, gamblers, and relatives over a 7-year period. We constituted a text corpus with online questions and summaries of contacts by phone or chat. We collected basic sociodemographic data, including the device used to contact the service (phone or internet), contacting the service for oneself ("user") or being a relative of a user and type of relative, gambling (yes/no), gaming (yes/no), and age and sex of the gambler/gamer. We describe the corpus descriptively and report the computerized qualitative analysis of online questions, chat, and summary of phone calls. We performed a descendant hierarchical analysis on the data.

RESULTS

A total of 14,564 contacts were made to the helpline, including 10,017 users and 4547 relatives. The corpus was composed of six classes: (1) gaming specificities, (2) shared psychological distress and negative emotions, (3) the procedure for being banned from gambling, (4) the provided help, (5) gambling specificities, and (6) financial problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative emotions and shared distress linked to gambling and gaming support current scientific consensus that these behaviors can produce psychological distress in se; however, meaningful differences were observed in core symptoms of addiction between gamers and gamblers, beyond specificities related to the behavior itself: loss of control was elicited in the class corresponding to gambling specificities and not by gamers and their relatives.

Parental Acceptance/Rejection Perceptions and Attachment Styles of Men With Online Gambling Disorder

Online gambling disorder has recently emerged as a significant public health issue. Family dynamics play an important role in the development of online gambling disorder. In this research, the aimed to compare the parental acceptance/rejection and attachment styles of individuals with online gambling disorder with a healthy control group. Also, the relationship between parental acceptance/rejection and attachment styles was examined in individuals with online gambling disorder. The study group consisted of 53 male patients with online gambling disorder and 57 healthy controls. The individuals with online gambling disorder perceived more rejection from mothers but especially from fathers than the individuals in the control group. Paternal hostility/aggression and indifference/neglect are determinants of online gambling behavior. The individuals with online gambling disorder had lower levels of secure attachment and higher levels of dismissive and fearful attachment than the individuals in the control group. Both secure attachment style and dismissive attachment style are thought to be determinants of gambling behavior. Mother-father rejection and insecure attachment are important in terms of creating risk for online gambling. Assessment of the effects of maternal and especially paternal rejection in online gambling disorder will be beneficial within the scope of preventive mental health.

Social Disconnection During COVID-19: The Role of Attachment, Fear of Missing Out, and Smartphone Use

This mixed-methods study explored adolescents' (n = 682) feelings of social connection in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic and examined potential risk (fear of missing out, problematic smartphone use) and protective (parent/peer attachment, smartphone use) factors to social disconnection. Data were collected from two schools in Canada using an online survey with questionnaires and open-ended questions. Three themes regarding adolescents' feelings of social connection during the pandemic were identified through thematic content analysis: (1) feeling socially connected, (2) feeling socially disconnected, and (3) feeling socially indifferent. Moreover, regression analysis identified secure peer attachments as a protective factor against social disconnection in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, while fear of missing out was identified as an independent risk factor.

The Impact of Online Game Addiction on Adolescent Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract: Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 determined that Internet Gaming Disorders (IGD) were included as mental health disorders. Among adolescents, excessive online gaming has become a lifestyle and is associated with psychological symptoms (psychopathological symptoms and life satisfaction), social health (social interactions) and physical health (general health and body mass index). The IGD has now become a problem all over the world.   AIM: This study aims to analyze the impact of online game addiction on adolescents using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) approach.   MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were searched extensively from the Pubmed, Sage, Science Direct, and Scopus databases. The search used the keywords "online game addiction", "mental health", and "youth". The inclusive criteria for the included  literature in this study  were as follow; the literature had to be sourced from journal article, written in English, available in full text, the published between  2011-2021, and the age of the adolescent subject should be 13-18 years. We identified 81 articles of which 20 were deemed relevant for this systematic review.   RESULTS: This review study shows that problematic online gaming behavior has a strong negative correlation with various subjective health outcomes.   CONCLUSION: Early relevant prevention for  adolescents from the IGD is the appropriate use of  internet/ gadgets as the only option to avoid or to reduce the symptoms of internet addiction and online games.   Keywords : Online game addiction; Mental health; Adolescents; Good Health and Wellbeing

[Parental factors in internet and computer game addiction in adolescence: An overview]

Parental factors in internet and computer game addiction in adolescence: An overview Abstract. Objective: Internet-related disorders (IRD) in adolescents and young adults are closely linked to family factors. However, few research and review articles include the family. To this end, N = 87 scientific papers were integrated into the literature review. Method: The present work gives an overview of parental factors that can be involved in the development, maintenance, and reduction of symptoms. Results: The literature provides clear connections between the parent-child relationship and IRD in adolescents and young adults. The quality of parent-child communication appears to be a promising approach for influencing IRD symptoms. There are indications that, at least for some families, encouraging the time spent together could be helpful. Regarding educational aspects, a distinction should be made between different areas. Parental knowledge and control of internet use seem to be protective factors. The effect of rules and restrictions, however, is unclear. Conclusions: To change IRD symptoms, it makes sense to improve the parent-child relationship. However, the ways to achieve that have hardly been explored. Recommendations regarding parenting strategies (e. g., rules and restrictions) should be formulated very carefully, as the effects are still unclear. The integration of parents in prevention and intervention efforts is advocated by many researchers, but there only individual studies have considered parents in the context of interventions.

Metacognitions as a predictor of online gaming in adolescents: Psychometric properties of the metacognitions about online gaming scale among Iranian adolescents

The Metacognitions about Online Gaming Scale (MOGS) measures maladaptive metacognitions about online gaming. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate psychometric properties of the MOGS, including its factor structure, reliability, and predictive validity among Iranian adolescents. The scale was administered to 769 Iranian adolescents (577 male, mean age = 16.39 ± 1.68 years) with an age range of 15-19 years. The participants completed the Persian-translated version of the MOGS, the Big Five Inventory-10, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21, the Video-Game Related Cognitions Scale, the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire, and the Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire. The results of the Exploratory Factor Analysis (n = 350) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (n = 419) confirmed three-factors similar to the parent version, including "negative metacognitions about uncontrollability of online gaming" (N-MOGU), "negative metacognitions about dangers of online gaming" (N-MOGD), and "positive metacognitions about online gaming" (P-MOG). The Persian MOGS's reliability showed a suitable internal consistency for the P-MOG, the N-MOGU, the N-MOGD, and the total score in both confirmatory and exploratory samples (range 0.79 to 0.93). A hierarchical regression analysis showed that the Persian MOGS predicted 33.9% of the variance in problematic online gaming independently of personality traits, anxiety, depression, stress, and both gaming-related cognitions and gaming motives. Furthermore, the results of analyses of variance with follow-up Bonferroni pairwise comparisons showed that interaction between the factors of MOGS and types of game and tools of gaming was significant. The findings provide evidence that the Persian MOGS among Iranian adolescents appears psychometrically appropriate to be used by researchers and practitioners dealing with the prevention and treatment of problematic online gaming.

Perceived Challenges and Online Harms from Social Media Use on a Severity Continuum: A Qualitative Psychological Stakeholder Perspective

Evidence suggests that problematic use of gaming, the internet, and social media among adolescents is on the rise, affecting multiple psycho-emotional domains. However, research providing a comprehensive and triangulated stakeholder perspective of perceived harms is lacking. How are adolescent online harms experienced and conceptualized by students, parents, and teachers? The present study comprised part of a qualitative needs assessment investigation with the use of focus groups and individual interviews among key stakeholder groups assessing perceived impacts with a focus on the negative consequences and perceived harms. The study’s sample consisted of students (N = 42, M_age = 13.5, SD = 2.3), parents (N = 9, M_age = 37, SD = 5.6) and teachers (N = 9, M_age = 34, SD = 4.9) from the UK. Data were analysed with thematic analysis. Findings focused primarily on social media use impacts and indicated that processes underlying impacts experienced by adolescents may be conceptualized on a severity continuum. Stakeholder consensus on perceptions of challenges and perceived harms formed the second theme, with impacts further analysed as relating to time displacement, peer judgement, sensory overload and context of the adolescent with functional (performance, task switching, use of multiple devices), cognitive (loss or deterioration of attentional focus, attention deficit), and emotional consequences (stress, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive/checking behaviours). A third theme formed was individual vulnerabilities predisposing poor mental health outcomes. The final theme related to impacts dependent on context and meaning attached. Findings suggest a consideration of a spectrum approach encompassing a broader range of potential psychological challenges and perceived harms beyond safety concerns and addiction in understanding problematic adolescent online experiences. Understanding perceived harms can aid the objective setting of interventions and consideration of mental health literacy in school curricula.

The link between problematic internet use, problematic gaming, and psychological distress: does sleep quality matter?

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of sleep quality in the association of problematic internet use (PIU) and problematic gaming with psychological distress among college students in China.

METHODS

Data of 1040 full-time students from multiple colleges in China were examined. Respondents were asked about their internet use and gaming behaviors, sleep quality, psychological distress, and sociodemographic characteristics. The mediating role of sleep quality in the PIU- and problematic gaming-psychological distress link was examined respectively.

RESULTS

PIU was associated with decreased sleep quality (r = .32, p < .001) and increased psychological distress (r = .46, p < .001). Problematic gaming was also associated with decreased sleep quality (r = .22, p < .001) and increased psychological distress (r = .46, p < .001). Sleep quality accounted for 23.5% of the indirect effect of PIU on psychological distress, and 17.9% of the indirect effect of problematic gaming on psychological distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep quality had a meaningful mediating effect on the PIU-psychological distress link, but only exerted a small mediating effect on the problematic gaming-psychological distress link. In addition to promoting healthy internet usage, strategies aimed at mitigating the negative effect of excessive internet use on psychological health might benefit from those aimed at improving sleep quality.

Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and Gaming Disorder among Chinese University Students: Impulsivity and Game Time as Mediators

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Research into the fear of missing out (FoMO) has greatly increased in recent years. Given the negative consequences of gaming disorder (GD) among a small minority of individuals, there is an increasing need for research examining the impact of FoMO on GD. However, little is known about the roles of impulsivity and gaming time as mediators in the relationship between FoMO and GD. The present study examined whether impulsivity and gaming time mediated the relationship between FoMO (trait-FoMO and state-FoMO) and GD among Chinese university students, as well as the prevalence of GD.

METHODS

A total of 1127 university students completed an online survey including the Chinese Trait-State Fear of Missing Out Scale (T-SFoMOS-C), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-Brief (BIS-Brief), gaming time survey, and the Chinese Gaming Disorder Scale (CGDS).

RESULTS

The prevalence of GD was 6.4% among Chinese university students. Trait-FoMO was found to indirectly impact GD via impulsivity and gamine time, whereas the direct effect of trait-FoMO on GD and the mediation effects of gaming time were not confirmed. State-FoMO impacted on GD both directly, and indirectly via the mediation effects of impulsivity as well as impulsivity and gaming time.

CONCLUSION

Trait-FoMO on GD was fully mediated via impulsivity and gaming time, whereas state-FoMO on GD was partly mediated via impulsivity and gaming time. Individuals with high levels of FoMO were more likely to show impulsivity and spend a longer time gaming, and these factors were associated with GD. These findings provide insights to incorporate into health prevention programs to help regulate emotion, control impulsivity, and decrease GD.

Social relational factors of excessive internet use in four European countries

OBJECTIVES

Adolescents who deal with more emotional problems have been found to seek escape online, and struggle with excessive internet use (EIU). Poor social relationships have been linked with emotional problems. The current study investigated positive family and school relationships as protective factors against emotional problems and a preference for online social interaction (POSI), both specified as mediators of the association of family and school relationships with EIU. Cross-cultural differences in the model were tested.

METHODS

A multi-group SEM was tested on representative samples of 4104 adolescents (M_age = 14.40 years, SD = 1.65, range 12-17, 50% female) from four European countries from Southern, Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe (Italy, Norway, Czech Republic, and Serbia, respectively).

RESULTS

Results suggested consistent associations across countries. Positive family relationships and positive school relationships were associated with lower EIU, with 63-64% of the effect of family, and 91-93% of the effect of school relationships mediated by emotional problems and POSI.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive family and school relationships protect adolescents against excessive internet usage, regardless of culture and indirectly-through emotional problems and POSI.

Multidimensional Correlates of Parental Self-Efficacy in Managing Adolescent Internet Use among Parents of Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Given the growing concerns of problematic Internet use and online safety, it is critical to address parental self-efficacy in managing adolescent Internet use and to examine associated factors, especially in parents of adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We examined the roles of adolescents’ hyperactivity/impulsivity, inattention and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms, parents’ depressive symptoms, parenting behavior (parental care and indifference), and child behavior (Internet addiction) in relation to parental self-efficacy in managing adolescent Internet use. We recruited 237 Taiwanese parents of adolescents with ADHD (ages 11–18). Hierarchical linear regression was performed in four steps to test the study hypotheses. The results indicated that child’s age, ODD symptoms, and Internet addiction of adolescents were negatively associated, and parental care was positively associated with parental self-efficacy in managing adolescent Internet use. The final model was significant and explained 43% of the variance. The present study demonstrated that parenting and child behaviors contribute to parental self-efficacy in managing adolescent Internet use. Moreover, children’s ODD symptoms were identified as the risk factor for reduced parental self-efficacy.

Development and validation study of Game Overuse Screening Questionnaire

The aim of this study was to develop a screening questionnaire to distinguish high-risk individuals associated with game overuse from casual internet users. Reliability, validity, and diagnostic ability were evaluated for the newly developed Game Overuse Screening Questionnaire (GOS-Q). Preliminary items were assessed by 50 addiction experts online and 30 questions were selected. A total of 158 subjects recruited from six community centers for internet addiction participated in this study. Finally, 150 people were used in the analysis after excluding eight non-respondents. GOS-Q, Young's internet addiction scale, and Korean scale for internet addiction were used to assess concurrent validity. Internal consistency and item-total correlations were favorable (α= 0.96, r= 0.47-0.82). Test-retest reliability was moderate in size (r= 0.74). GOS-Q showed superior concurrent validity, and the highest correlation with Y-Scale (r= 0.77). The construct validity was marginally supported by a six-factor model using exploratory factor analysis. The area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was 0.945. The high-risk addiction group was effectively characterized by a cut-off point of 38.5, with a sensitivity of 0.87 and a specificity of 0.88. Overall, the current study supports the use of GOS-Q as a reliable screening tool in a variety of settings.

Videogame-related experiences among regular adolescent gamers

The objective of this study was to identify the videogame-related experiences expressed by regular adolescent gamers and to explore the socio-family factors related to these experiences. A cross-sectional observational and descriptive study was carried out with a convenience sample of regular Spanish videogamers between 16 and 18 years old. To measure the use of videogames for evasion and its negative consequences, the Questionnaire of Videogame-Related Experiences (Cuestionario de Experiencias Relacionadas con Videojuegos, CERV) was used and socio-family variables collected, evaluating their relationship with the results of the CERV. A total of 206 adolescents participated, 89.3% men [84.3-93.2] and 17.9% [12.9-23.9] allocating more than 35 hours a week to videogames. The CERV subscale related to the evasive use of videogames (max. = 24 points) obtained a mean value of 11.71 (SD = 3.52) and the mean value for the subscale related to the negative consequences (max. = 27 points) was 7.14 (SD = 3.33). A higher frequency of high values of evasive use (p = .038) and higher scores of this subscale (p = .02) were found in gamers without brothers or sisters. Higher scores and larger numbers of negative consequences were found in gamers who play more than 21 hours a week (p = .032). In conclusion, frequent use of videogames does not seem to be carried out with an evasive purpose, except in the case of absence of siblings. Frequent videogame use has only proven to carry a higher level of negative consequences when playing more than 21 hours a week. No other socio-family variables related to these subscales of the CERV have been identified.

The correlation between family relationships and brain activity within the reward circuit in adolescents with Internet gaming disorder

Disrupted reward circuits and diminished behavioural control have been suggested as the pathophysiologies of Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Family functioning is thought to play an important role in reward-related control. We hypothesized that adolescents with IGD show disrupted patterns of family relationships, which are associated with brain activity within the reward circuit. 42 adolescents with IGD without comorbidities and 41 healthy controls were assessed for family function and psychological states using the Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (K-WISC), Korean version of DuPaul's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Rating Scale (K-ARS), Young Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the relationship domain of the Family Environmental Scale (FES-R). Brain activity was assessed via resting-state fMRI. Adolescents with IGD showed increased K-ARS, BAI, and YIAS scores, but decreased FES-R and FES-cohesion subscale scores; YIAS scores were negatively correlated with FES-R scores. Brain connectivity from the cingulate to the striatum was decreased, positively correlated with FES-R scores, and negatively correlated with IGD severity. Adolescents with IGD showed disrupted family relationships, which was associated with the severity of the disorder, and dis-connectivity within the reward circuit.

Early-Life Interpersonal and Affective Risk Factors for Pathological Gaming

Internet gaming is among the most popular entertainment options, worldwide; however, a considerable proportion of gamers show symptoms of pathological gaming. Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been proposed to describe a behavioral addiction, which shares many similarities, both physical and psychological, with substance use disorder. Environmental factors, such as interpersonal and relationship dynamics during childhood and adolescence, have been suggested to modulate the onset and trajectories of IGD. However, studies exploring the contributions of dysfunctional family environments to the development of IGD remain limited. This minireview aims to offer an overview of the current knowledge regarding the impacts of early-life interpersonal and relationship dynamics on the development of IGD and to provide a snapshot of the current state of the literature in this field. Specifically, it underlines the modulatory role of early-life relational factors such as a) family function, b) parent-child relationships, c) childhood maltreatment, and d) bullying and cyberbullying on the development of IGD. Consistent with this evidence, therapeutic interventions that aim to "restructure" the emotional ties and familiar dynamics that are known to be associated with dysfunctional behaviors and feelings, and likely promote pathological gaming, are recognized as the most successful clinical therapeutic approaches for IGD.

Parent-adolescent attachment and peer attachment associated with Internet Gaming Disorder: A longitudinal study of first-year undergraduate students

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Given that Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has tentatively been included in DSM-5 as a psychiatric disorder, it is important that the effect of parental and peer attachment in the development of IGD is further explored.

METHODS

Utilizing a longitudinal design, this study investigated the bidirectional association between perceived parent–adolescent attachment, peer attachment, and IGD among 1,054 first-year undergraduate students (58.8% female). The students provided demographic information (e.g., age, gender) and were assessed using the nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment. Assessments occurred three times, six months apart (October 2017; April 2018; October 2018).

RESULTS

Cross-lagged panel models suggested that IGD weakly predicted subsequent mother attachment but significantly negatively predicted father attachment. However, father and mother attachment did not predict subsequent IGD. Moreover, peer attachment had a bidirectional association with IGD. Furthermore, the model also demonstrated stable cross-sectional negative correlations between attachment and IGD across all three assessments.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study did not show a bidirectional association between parental attachment and IGD, but they did show a negative bidirectional association between peer attachment and IGD. The results suggested previous cross-sectional associations between IGD and attachment, with larger links among males than females at the first measurement point. We found that peer attachment negatively predicted subsequent IGD, which indicates that peer attachment plays an important role in preventing addictive gaming behaviors for university students.

Measurement, Profiles, Prevalence, and Psychological Risk Factors of Problematic Gaming Among the Turkish Community: A Large-scale National Study

The present study investigated the prevalence, the potential different profiles, and the associated psychological factors of disordered gaming using data from a large-scale epidemiological study (TURBAHAR [Turkey’s Addiction and Mental Health Risk Profile Map Project]) carried out in Turkey in 2018 with 24,494 participants aged 18–81 years. Participants completed a comprehensive survey comprising a demographic questionnaire, Gaming Addiction Risk Questionnaire, Brief Symptom Inventory, Personal Well-Being Index Adult Form, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised Scale. Latent class analysis showed the existence of eight different game profiles, which differed in relation to the intensity and specific features of the behavior. Results showed that 1.6% of the participants were problematic gamers. Being male, being younger, lower education level, being single, using alcohol and cigarettes, psychiatric distress, positive and negative affect, and anxious adult attachment were positively associated with problematic gaming.

Prevalence and Interpersonal Correlates of Internet Gaming Disorders among Chinese Adolescents

This study investigated the prevalence and interpersonal correlates of Internet gaming disorders (IGD) among Chinese adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two cities (Shanghai and Xi’an) in China. A total of 2666 (Mean_age = 12.77 ± 0.75) year-one students from eight middle schools completed a self-reported questionnaire. It tested their levels of IGD, parental psychological control, negative interpersonal events (physical/verbal abuse by parents, verbal abuse by teachers, peer/online bullying), social support from parents/peers, and positive relationships with parents/peers. Results showed that 346 participants (13.0%) were classified as having IGD. Gender, city, single-parent family, family socio-economic status, and mother’s education level were significantly associated with the risk of IGD. Logistic regression analyses with and without controlling for the significant background variables showed that the studied interpersonal variables were significantly associated with IGD, respectively. Forward stepwise logistic regression showed that the significant correlates of IGD included parental psychological control, physical/verbal abuse by parents, verbal abuse by teachers, and peer/online bullying. Results highlight the importance of addressing interpersonal risk factors to reduce adolescent IGD. Limitations and implications of this study are discussed.

Internet Gaming Disorder in Adolescents With Psychiatric Disorder: Two Case Reports Using a Developmental Framework

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been a controversial entity with various opinions about its clinical relevance as an independent mental disorder. This debate has also included discussions about the relationships between problematic gaming, various psychiatric disorders, and personality traits and dimensions. This paper outlines a developmental-theory based model of Internet gaming misuse inspired by the treatment of two adolescent inpatients. The two clinical vignettes illustrate distinct developmental pathways: an "internalized pathway" via the development of social anxiety, emotional and behavioral avoidance; and an "externalized pathway" with a low level of emotional regulation strategies and impulsivity. In both clinical cases, attachment issues played a key role to understand the specific associations of risk and maintaining factors for IGD, and gaming behaviors may be seen as specific forms of maladaptive self-regulatory strategies for these two youths. These clinical observations support the assumption that gaming use problematic in adolescents should be viewed with a developmental approach, including key aspects of emotional development that represent significant targets for therapeutic interventions.

Personality and Psychological Factors of Problematic Internet Gamers Seeking Hospital Treatment

Introduction: Previous studies on internet gaming disorder (IGD) have reported an association between personality traits and impulsive or problematic use of the internet or internet games, but the results obtained were inconsistent. Our study's hypothesis was that personality traits are associated with the individual's choice to play internet games, and psychological status of the individual is associated with seeking treatment for addictive behavior at a hospital. Method: In the current study, individuals who reported excessive internet gaming and visited the hospital for treatment were enrolled and defined as the problematic internet gaming group; through advertisement, additional 138 individuals who were frequent gamers and 139 who were infrequent gamers were recruited. In a multiple logistic regression analysis of all participants' data, a discrete set of hierarchical variables, with gaming preference (frequent gamers + problematic gamers) or problematic internet gaming as the dependent variable, was added to the demographic factors for model 1, personality traits for model 2, and psychological state for model 3. Results: Temperament was a potential factor associated with internet gaming preference. Additionally, model 2, which comprised both demographic factors and personality traits, was a significant factor to enhance the predictability of internet gaming preference with maximum accuracy of 96.7%. Of the three models in the current study, model 2 and model 3 with combined model 2 and patient's psychological status were associated with problematic internet gaming. Discussion: The current study indicated that personality traits were potential factors associated with the individual's preference for gaming. In addition, abnormal psychological status, especially, depressive mood and attention deficit, may lead individuals with problematic internet gaming to seek treatment at the hospital.