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Journal article
A longitudinal analysis of the network structure of internet gaming disorder and its associations with distress
Behaviour & information technology, Vol.First online, pp.1-21
16/05/2025
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Concerns have arisen regarding the possible addictive nature of videogames, resulting in the provisional recognition of internet gaming disorder (IGD) as a behavioural addiction. However, this classification remains controversial, with arguments abounding regarding its structure and nature. Therefore, the present study examined the network structure/characteristics of nine IGD symptoms and three distress behaviours (i.e. depression, anxiety, and stress). A sample of 462 adults (M</sub>age</sub> = 30.8. [SD</sub>age</sub> = 9.23]; 320 males [69.3%]) were surveyed regarding their experience of IGD symptoms and distress behaviours using the Internet Gaming Disorder Short Form (IGDS9-SF) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS21) respectively. Subsequently, a network analysis was undertaken using R. IGD symptoms were found to be stable both cross-sectionally and over time. They were associated with, yet distinct, from, depression, anxiety, and stress. The most central symptoms within the network in terms of expected influence were tolerance, persistence, and stress. With a pathway between depression and mood modification providing the 'bridge' between IGD and Distress. The findings support the conceptualisation of IGD as a distinct construct (i.e. behavioural addiction). Further implications for the identification and treatment of IGD are discussed.
Details
- Title
- A longitudinal analysis of the network structure of internet gaming disorder and its associations with distress
- Creators
- Deon Tullett-Prado - RMIT UniversityBruno Schivinski - Gdańsk University of TechnologyDylan Poulus - Southern Cross UniversityMark D. Griffiths - Nottingham Trent UniversityVasilios Stavropoulos - RMIT University
- Publication Details
- Behaviour & information technology, Vol.First online, pp.1-21
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Number of pages
- 21
- Grant note
- This work was supported by The Australian Research Council, Discovery Early Career Researcher Award,2021: [grant number DE210101107]; The Victoria University, Early Career Researcher Fund ECR 2020: [grant number 68761601].
- Identifiers
- 991013285526902368
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc- nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article