Awareness and Potential Impacts of the Medicalization of Internet Gaming Disorder: Cross-sectional Survey Among Adolescents in China

Background The Eleventh Revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) newly listed gaming disorder, including internet gaming disorder (IGD), as a disease. The level of awareness and potential positive and negative impacts of this medicalization among adolescents were unknown. Objective This study investigated the levels, associated factors, and potential positive and negative impacts of awareness of the medicalization of IGD among adolescents in China. Methods In a cross-sectional survey, 1343 middle school students in Guangzhou, China, self-administered an anonymous questionnaire in classrooms (October to December 2019). Three risk subgroups were identified: those who scored ≥5 items in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition checklist (IGD-S), those who self-perceived having IGD currently (IGD-PC), and those who self-perceived having IGD within 12 months (IGD-P12M). Results Of the internet gamers, 48.3% (460/952) were aware of the medicalization of IGD; they were more likely to belong to the IGD-P12M/IGD-S risk subgroups. Within the IGD-PC/IGD-P12M (but not IGD-S) risk subgroups, IGD medicalization awareness was positively associated with favorable outcomes (reduced internet gaming time in the past 12 months, seeking help from professionals if having IGD, and fewer maladaptive cognitions). After being briefed about the ICD-11 inclusion of IGD, 54.2% (516/952) and 32.8% (312/952) expressed that it would lead to the reduction of gaming time and help-seeking behaviors, respectively; however, 17.9% (170/952), 21.5% (205/952), 15.9% (151/952), and 14.5% (138/952) perceived self-doubt for being diseased, stronger pressure from family members, negative emotional responses, and labeling effect, respectively. With a few exceptions, such perceived positive or negative impacts were stronger among the IGD-S, IGD-PC, and IGD-P12M risk subgroups. Conclusions The exploratory study shows that the medicalization of IGD may have benefits that need maximization and potentially harmful effects that need minimization. Future studies should test the efficacies of health promotion that increases IGD medicalization awareness.

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Awareness and Potential Impacts of the Medicalization of Internet Gaming Disorder: Cross-sectional Survey Among Adolescents in China (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.22393 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yanqiu Yu ◽

Ji-Bin Li ◽

Joseph T F Lau

Keyword(s):

Help Seeking ◽

Internet Gaming Disorder ◽

International Classification Of Diseases ◽

Gaming Disorder ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Maladaptive Cognitions ◽

Internet Gaming ◽

Negative Impacts

BACKGROUND The Eleventh Revision of <i>International Classification of Diseases</i> (ICD-11) newly listed gaming disorder, including internet gaming disorder (IGD), as a disease. The level of awareness and potential positive and negative impacts of this medicalization among adolescents were unknown. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the levels, associated factors, and potential positive and negative impacts of awareness of the medicalization of IGD among adolescents in China. METHODS In a cross-sectional survey, 1343 middle school students in Guangzhou, China, self-administered an anonymous questionnaire in classrooms (October to December 2019). Three risk subgroups were identified: those who scored ≥5 items in the <i>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition</i> checklist (IGD-S), those who self-perceived having IGD currently (IGD-PC), and those who self-perceived having IGD within 12 months (IGD-P12M). RESULTS Of the internet gamers, 48.3% (460/952) were aware of the medicalization of IGD; they were more likely to belong to the IGD-P12M/IGD-S risk subgroups. Within the IGD-PC/IGD-P12M (but not IGD-S) risk subgroups, IGD medicalization awareness was positively associated with favorable outcomes (reduced internet gaming time in the past 12 months, seeking help from professionals if having IGD, and fewer maladaptive cognitions). After being briefed about the ICD-11 inclusion of IGD, 54.2% (516/952) and 32.8% (312/952) expressed that it would lead to the reduction of gaming time and help-seeking behaviors, respectively; however, 17.9% (170/952), 21.5% (205/952), 15.9% (151/952), and 14.5% (138/952) perceived self-doubt for being diseased, stronger pressure from family members, negative emotional responses, and labeling effect, respectively. With a few exceptions, such perceived positive or negative impacts were stronger among the IGD-S, IGD-PC, and IGD-P12M risk subgroups. CONCLUSIONS The exploratory study shows that the medicalization of IGD may have benefits that need maximization and potentially harmful effects that need minimization. Future studies should test the efficacies of health promotion that increases IGD medicalization awareness.

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Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Internet Gaming Disorder Checklist (C-IGDC) Among Chinese Adolescents

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.721397 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Juliet Honglei Chen ◽

Xiaoyu Su ◽

Le Dang ◽

Anise M. S. Wu

Keyword(s):

Psychometric Properties ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Internet Gaming Disorder ◽

Chinese Adolescents ◽

Cutoff Score ◽

Gaming Disorder ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Internet Gaming ◽

Optimal Screening

As the first DSM-5 based, multidimensional screening tool of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) designed for Chinese gamers, the Chinese Internet Gaming Disorder Checklist (C-IGDC) has shown satisfactory psychometric properties among Chinese young adults. Given the high vulnerability to IGD among adolescents, the present study aimed to examine the applicability of C-IGDC to Chinese adolescents to address shortfalls in the existing literature regarding the assessment of adolescent IGD screening. Through a two-stage sampling method in a cross-sectional survey, we obtained a sample of 1,253 Chinese past-year adolescent gamers (43.8% female; Mage = 14.49 years, SDage = 1.60 years) from local junior or senior high schools in Macao, China for data analysis. Our results confirmed a good model fit of the original two-level, nine-subfactor structure of the 27-item C-IGDC, and indicated adequate internal consistency and test–retest reliability, as well as good concurrent validity as evidenced by expected associations with IGD functioning impairments, gameplay characteristics, and depressive symptoms. An optimal screening cutoff score (≥20) was proposed to identify probable disordered gamers among Chinese adolescents with past-year gaming experience. The findings support the extended use of C-IGDC to Chinese adolescents as a reliable and valid assessment tool for evaluating IGD severity levels and screening for probable IGD cases. Its use can facilitate a proper screening procedure for probable IGD cases in both school and clinical settings.

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Prevalence and associated factors of internet gaming disorder among secondary school students in rural community, Thailand: a cross-sectional study

BMC Research Notes ◽

10.1186/s13104-019-4862-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pawan Taechoyotin ◽

Puttipun Tongrod ◽

Tanawat Thaweerungruangkul ◽

Nitchapat Towattananon ◽

Pitch Teekapakvisit ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary School ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Internet Gaming Disorder ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Gaming Disorder ◽

Sectional Study ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Bully Victimization ◽

Internet Gaming

Abstract Objective Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is an emerging mental problem for adolescent that has been increasingly piqued interest over the last decade. Although many studies have been conducted, very few studies have studied populations with low technological access. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of internet gaming disorder among secondary school students in an area with a comparatively lower technological access in a large community sample. We used Chachoengsao province, Thailand as our sample area with a comparatively lower access to technology. This cross-sectional study was conducted during December 2017–January 2018 among 12 secondary schools in Chachoengsao province, Thailand. Results 5.4% of the 5497 subjects were positive for IGD. The associated factors found were male gender (odds ratio (OR) = 1.4), not living with both parents (OR = 1.75), use of online dating (OR = 1.53), being bullied at school (OR = 1.51), depression (OR = 1.92), anxiety (OR = 1.62) and stress (OR = 3.57) after being adjusted for age, family composition, failure of an exam, limit of internet use, use of online dating, bully perpetration, bully victimization, cyber bully perpetration, cyber bully victimization, suicidal ideation, use of alcohol, depression, anxiety, and stress.

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The Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Internet Gaming Disorder and Their Association among Adults in Saudi Arabia : A Cross-Sectional Study

Aljouf University Medical Journal ◽

10.12816/0058988 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 45-56

Author(s):

Al Hadi , Ahmad N. ◽

Aldussary , Dina M. ◽

Abanumy , Jawaher A. ◽

Alghamdi , Maha A. ◽

Alsahli , Nora A. ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Internet Gaming Disorder ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Gaming Disorder ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Internet Gaming

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

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance ◽

10.2196/27719 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Megan Moreno ◽

Karyn Riddle ◽

Marina C. Jenkins ◽

Ajay Singh ◽

Qianqian Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Young Adults ◽

Internet Gaming Disorder ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Problematic Internet Use ◽

Gaming Disorder ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Media Addiction ◽

Internet Gaming

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The Predictive Value of Emotional Intelligence for Internet Gaming Disorder: A 1-Year Longitudinal Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16152762 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (15) ◽

pp. 2762 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Della L. Dang ◽

Meng Xuan Zhang ◽

Karlas Kin-hei Leong ◽

Anise M. S. Wu

Keyword(s):

Emotional Intelligence ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Internet Gaming Disorder ◽

Gaming Disorder ◽

Trait Emotional Intelligence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Coping Flexibility ◽

Internet Gaming ◽

One Year ◽

And Coping

This one-year longitudinal study examined trait emotional intelligence as a predictor of Internet gaming disorder (IGD). To date, only cross-sectional research has been conducted to test the protective effects of emotional intelligence against IGD tendency. Based on the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model, this study aimed to address the research gap by examining not only the direct effects of trait emotional intelligence, but also its indirect effects (via depressive symptoms and coping flexibility) on IGD, with both a cross-sectional and longitudinal design. The participants were 282 Chinese university students (mean age = 20.47; 39.4% males) who voluntarily completed an anonymous questionnaire at both baseline (W1) and one-year follow-up (W2). Path analysis results revealed that trait emotional intelligence had a protective but indirect effect on IGD tendency in both our cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Depression was found to have a significant, full mediating effect on the relationship between: (i) trait emotional intelligence and IGD tendency (W2) and (ii) coping flexibility and IGD tendency (W2), after adjusting for IGD tendency at the baseline (W1). Gender invariance of the path coefficient was also observed in the prospective model. This study provided longitudinal evidence to support the I-PACE model. Interventions should address both IGD and depressive symptoms, and school-based workshops to increase emotional intelligence and coping flexibility are also recommended.

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