Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Internet Gaming Addiction in Adolescence: Risk Factors and Maladjustment Correlates

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Several studies have documented the existence of a behavioral addiction related to Video Games, which appears to be similar to other forms of addiction (gambling and substance-related) in terms of characteristics and consequences. Literature about this topic has suffered from the lack of a standard definition of this disorder before the publication of DSM-5. Thus, the prevalence of the disorder and its characteristics at the moment are unclear. The present research aimed to investigate the differences between sub-clinical problematic Video Game (VG) use and Internet use and clear Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and Internet addiction in terms of gender, amount of time spent gaming, preferential coping strategies, adjustment problems, interpersonal relations, and to identify risk factors that predict a problematic engagement in video gaming. We administered a survey containing measures about coping strategies, interpersonal relations, internalizing/externalizing problems, and Internet and Video Game addiction to 612 Italian students recruited in the four main regions of the country (age range 9–19; M = 13.94). Results show that 15.2% of participants showed a sub-clinical problematic use of Video Games, while those with a clear IGD were 2.1% (n = 13); 16.3% of them showed a sub-clinical problematic Internet use, while full-criteria Internet addiction was found in 5.9% of the sample. IGD appears to be linked to various dysfunctional outcomes including a wide range of psychological symptoms and behavioral and social problems. Also, problematic video gamers tend to preferentially adopt dysfunctional coping strategies as distraction and avoidance, so VGs seem to represent a mean to cope with problems and difficulties.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The final sample had some scattered missing values. Missing data was handled via multiple imputation method on SPSS 23.0, as suggested by Schafer and Graham (2002).

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the child behavior checklist/4–18 and 1991 profile. Burlington: Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.p. 991). Arlington: American Psychiatric Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ayers, T. S., & Sandler, I. N. (2009). Manual for the children’s coping strategies checklist & the how I coped under pressure scale. Tempe: Arizona State University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batthyány, D., Müller, K. W., Benker, F., & Wölfling, K. (2009). Computer game playing: clinical characteristics of dependence and abuse among adolescents. Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift, 121(15/16), 502–509.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bracken, B. A. (1993). AIR—Assessment of Interpersonal Relations. Austin: PRO-ED.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brunborg, G. S., Mentzoni, R. A., Melkevik, O. R., Torsheim, T., Samdal, O., Hetland, J., Andreassen, C. S., & Palleson, S. (2013). Gaming addiction, gaming engagement, and psychological health complaints among Norwegian adolescents. Media psychology, 16(1), 115–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brunborg, G. S., Mentzoni, R. A., & Frøyland, L. R. (2014). Is video gaming, or Video Game addiction, associated with depression, academic achievement, heavy episodic drinking, or conduct problems? Journal of behavioral addictions, 3(1), 27–32.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Camisasca, E., Caravita, S. C., Milani, L., & Di Blasio, P. (2012). The Children’s Coping Strategies Checklist–Revision 1: a validation study in the Italian population. TPM: Testing, Psychometrics, Methodology in Applied Psychology, 19(3), 197–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caplan, S., Williams, D., & Yee, N. (2009). Problematic Internet use and psychosocial well-being among MMO players. Computers in Human Behavior, 25(6), 1312–1319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, P. A., & Rabinowitz, T. (2006). A cross-sectional analysis of Video Games and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adolescents. Annals of General Psychiatry, 5(1), 16–26.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Charlton, J. P., & Danforth, I. D. (2010). Validating the distinction between computer addiction and engagement: online game playing and personality. Behaviour & Information Technology, 29(6), 601–613.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choo, H., Gentile, D., Sim, T., Li, D. D., Khoo, A., & Liau, A. (2010). Pathological video-gaming among Singaporean youth. Annals Academy of Medicine Singapore, 39, 822–829.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole, S. H., & Hooley, J. M. (2013). Clinical and personality correlates of MMO gaming: anxiety and absorption in problematic Internet use. Social Science Computer Review, 31(4), 424–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, E., Freeman, J., & Chamarro-Premuzic, T. (2012). Personality traits associated with problematic and non-problematic massively multiplayer online role playing game use. Personality and Individual Differences, 52(2), 133–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donati, M. A., Chiesi, F., Ammannato, G., & Primi, C. (2015). Versatility and addiction in gaming: the number of video-game genres played is associated with pathological gaming in male adolescents. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18(2), 129–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dreier, M., Wölfling, K., Duven, E., Giralt, S., Beutel, M. E., & Müller, K. W. (2017). Free-to-play: about addicted whales, at risk dolphins and healthy minnows. Monetarization design and Internet gaming disorder. Addictive Behaviors, 64, 328–333.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Festl, R., Scharkow, M., & Quandt, T. (2013). Problematic computer game use among adolescents, younger and older adults. Addiction, 108(3), 592–599.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frigerio, A. (2001). CBCL—Child Behavior Checklist/4–18. Bosisio Parini: Medea.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gentile, D. (2009). Pathological video-game use among youth ages 8 to 18: a national study. Psychological Science, 20(5), 594–602.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gentile, D. A., Choo, H., Liau, A., Sim, T., Li, D., Fung, D., & Khoo, A. (2011). Pathological Video Game use among youths: a two-year longitudinal study. Pediatrics, 127(2), 319–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gentile, D. A., Swing, E. L., Lim, C. G., & Khoo, A. (2012). Video game playing, attention problems, and impulsiveness: evidence of bidirectional causality. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 1(1), 62–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, M. D. (2010). The role of context in online gaming excess and addiction: some case study evidence. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8(1), 119–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grüsser, S. M., Thalemann, R., & Griffiths, M. D. (2006). Excessive computer game playing: evidence for addiction and aggression? Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 10(2), 290–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ianes, D. (1996). TRI—Test delle relazioni interpersonali [Test of Interpersonal Relations]. Trento: Erickson.

    Google Scholar 

  • ISFE (2012). Videogames in Europe: consumer study. Retrieved from: http://www.isfe.eu/videogames-europe-2012-consumer-study.

  • Kim, E. J., Namkoong, K., Ku, T., & Kim, S. J. (2008). The relationship between online game addiction and aggression, self-control and narcissistic personality traits. European Psychiatry, 23(3), 212–218.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • King, D. L., Delfabbro, P. H., & Griffiths, M. D. (2011). The role of structural characteristics in problematic Video Game play: an empirical study. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 9(3), 320–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuss, D. J. (2013). Internet gaming addiction: current perspectives. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 6, 125–137.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2012). Internet and gaming addiction: a systematic literature review of neuroimaging studies. Brain Sciences, 2(3), 347–374.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kuss, D. J., Louws, J., & Wiers, R. W. (2012). Online gaming addiction? Motives predict addictive play behavior in massively multiplayer online role-playing games. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 15(9), 480–485.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemmens, J. S., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2011). Psychosocial causes and consequences of pathological gaming. Computers in Human Behavior, 27(1), 144–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemmens, J. S., Valkenburg, P. M., & Gentile, D. A. (2015). The Internet gaming disorder scale. Psychological Assessment, 27(2), 567–582.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., & Wang, S. (2013). The role of cognitive distortion in online game addiction among Chinese adolescents. Children and Youth Services Review, 35(9), 1468–1475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, D., Liau, A., & Khoo, A. (2011). Examining the influence of actual-ideal self-discrepancies, depression, and escapism, on pathological gaming among massively multiplayer online adolescent gamers. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(9), 535–539.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liau, A. K., Choo, H., Li, D., Gentile, D. A., Sim, T., & Khoo, A. (2015). Pathological video-gaming among youth: a prospective study examining dynamic protective factors. Addiction Research & Theory, 23(4), 301–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loton, D., Borkoles, E., Lubman, D., & Polman, R. (2015). Video Game addiction, engagement and symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety: the mediating role of coping. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 1–14.

  • Mentzoni, R. A., Brunborg, G. S., Molde, H., Myrseth, H., Skouverøe, K. J. M., Hetland, J., & Pallesen, S. (2011). Problematic Video Game use: estimated prevalence and associations with mental and physical health. Cyberpsychology, behavior, and social networking, 14(10), 591–596.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milani, L., Camisasca, E., Caravita, S. C., Ionio, C., Miragoli, S., & Di Blasio, P. (2015). Violent Video Games and children’s aggressive behaviors. SAGE Open, 5(3), 1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Müller, K. W., Janikian, M., Dreier, M., Wölfling, K., Beutel, M. E., Tzavara, C., Richardson, C., & Tsitsika, A. (2015). Regular gaming behavior and Internet gaming disorder in European adolescents: results from a cross-national representative survey of prevalence, predictors, and psychopathological correlates. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 24(5), 565–574.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petry, N. M., Rehbein, F., Gentile, D. A., Lemmens, J. S., Rumpf, H. J., Mößle, T., Bischof, G., Tao, R., Fung, D. S. S., Borges, G., Auriacombe, M., Ibáñez, A. G., Tam, P., O’Brien, C. P., & Auriacombe, M. (2014). An international consensus for assessing Internet gaming disorder using the new DSM-5 approach. Addiction, 109(9), 1399–1406.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Porter, G., Starcevic, V., Berle, D., & Fenech, P. (2010). Recognizing problem Video Game use. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 44(2), 120–128.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rehbein, F., & Baier, D. (2013). Family-, media-, and school-related risk factors of Video Game addiction. Journal of Media Psychology, 25(3), 118–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rehbein, F., & Mößle, T. (2013). Video game and Internet addiction: is there a need for differentiation? Sucht, 59(3), 129–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rehbein, F., Psych, G., Kleimann, M., Mediasci, G., & Mößle, T. (2010). Prevalence and risk factors of Video Game dependency in adolescence: results of a German nationwide survey. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 13(3), 269–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rehbein, F., Kliem, S., Baier, D., Mößle, T., & Petry, N. M. (2015). Prevalence of Internet gaming disorder in German adolescents: diagnostic contribution of the nine DSM-5 criteria in a state-wide representative sample. Addiction, 110(5), 842–851.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke, L. (2009). Games and recovery: the use of video and computer games to recuperate from stress and strain. Journal of Media Psychology, 21, 126–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schafer, J. L., & Graham, J. W. (2002). Missing data: our view of the state of the art. Psychological Methods, 7(2), 147–177.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt, Z. L., & Livingston, M. G. (2015). Video game addiction and college performance among males: results from a 1 year longitudinal study. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18(1), 25–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schou Andreassen, C., Billieux, J., Griffiths, M. D., Kuss, D. J., Demetrovics, Z., Mazzoni, E., & Pallesen, S. (2016). The relationship between addictive use of social media and Video Games and symptoms of psychiatric disorders: a large-scale cross-sectional study. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 30(2), 252.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Snodgrass, J. G., Dengah, H. F., Lacy, M. G., & Fagan, J. (2013). A formal anthropological view of motivation models of problematic MMO play: achievement, social, and immersion factors in the context of culture. Transcultural Psychiatry, 50(2), 235–262.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spekman, M. L., Konijn, E. A., Roelofsma, P. H., & Griffiths, M. D. (2013). Gaming addiction, definition and measurement: a large-scale empirical study. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(6), 2150–2155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stavropoulos, V., Gentile, D., & Motti-Stefanidi, F. (2016). A multilevel longitudinal study of adolescent Internet addiction: the role of obsessive–compulsive symptoms and classroom openness to experience. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 13(1), 99–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Rooij, A. J., Schoenmakers, T. M., Vermulst, A. A., Van Den Eijnden, R. J., & Van De Mheen, D. (2011). Online Video Game addiction: identification of addicted adolescent gamers. Addiction, 106(1), 205–212.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Rooij, A. J., Kuss, D. J., Griffiths, M. D., Shorter, G. W., Schoenmakers, T. M., & Van de Mheen, D. (2014). The (co-) occurrence of problematic video gaming, substance use, and psychosocial problems in adolescents. Journal of behavioral addictions, 3(3), 157–165.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wölfling, K., & Müller, K.W. (2009). Computerspielsucht. In D. Batthyány, & A. Pritz (Eds.), Rausch ohne Drogen. Substanzgebundene Süchte (pp. 291–308). New York: Springer.

  • Yee, N. (2006). Motivations for play in online games. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 9(6), 772–775.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, K. S. (1998). Internet addiction: the emergence of a new clinical disorder. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 1(3), 237–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We really thank for the fieldwork and for some valuable suggestions of Chiara Di Marzo, Valeria D’Egidio, Martina Manfroi, Ludovica Rosano, and Cristina Sestili. We wish also to thank the following schools and their headmasters: IC “Franchi,” Brescia (Dr. Daniela Volpi); IC “D’Annunzio–Don Milani,” Catania (Dr. Salvatore Impellizzeri); IC “Corridoni–Meucci,” Catania (Dr. Antonia Maccarrone); IC “G. Paolo II,” Aci Catena–Aci San Filippo (Dr. Irene Patanè); and IC “R. Rimini,” Acitrezza–Ficarazzi (Dr. Concetta Valeria Aranzulla).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. C.R.i.d.e.e., Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Luca Milani, Serena Grumi & Paola Di Blasio

  2. Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy

    Giuseppe La Torre & Silvia Miccoli

  3. Department “GF Ingrassia” Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Maria Fiore & Margherita Ferrante

  4. Department of Psychology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA

    Douglas A. Gentile

Authors
  1. Luca Milani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Giuseppe La Torre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maria Fiore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Serena Grumi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Douglas A. Gentile
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Margherita Ferrante
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Silvia Miccoli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Paola Di Blasio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luca Milani.

Ethics declarations

Statement

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000 (5). Informed consent was obtained from all participants for being included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Milani, L., La Torre, G., Fiore, M. et al. Internet Gaming Addiction in Adolescence: Risk Factors and Maladjustment Correlates. Int J Ment Health Addiction 16, 888–904 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-017-9750-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-017-9750-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation