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Cited by 487Impact of Technology on AdolescentsGambling Behavior and TreatmentsSexuality, Behavior, and Technology

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 91 of the 91 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Association between Internet Gaming Disorder or Pathological Video-Game Use and Comorbid Psychopathology: A Comprehensive Review

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González-Bueso, Vega, Santamaría, Juan, Fernández, Daniel, Merino, Laura, Montero, Elena, Ribas, Joan·2018·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
DOI 10.3390/ijerph15040668PMC PMC5923710
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Abstract

The addictive use of video games is recognized as a problem with clinical relevance and is included in international diagnostic manuals and classifications of diseases. The association between “Internet addiction” and mental health has been well documented across a range of investigations. However, a major drawback of these studies is that no controls have been placed on the type of Internet use investigated. The aim of this study is to review systematically the current literature in order to explore the association between Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and psychopathology. An electronic literature search was conducted using PubMed, PsychINFO, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and Google Scholar (r.n. CRD42018082398). The effect sizes for the observed correlations were identified or computed. Twenty-four articles met the eligibility criteria. The studies included comprised 21 cross-sectional and three prospective designs. Most of the research was conducted in Europe. The significant correlations reported comprised: 92% between IGD and anxiety, 89% with depression, 85% with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and 75% with social phobia/anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Most of the studies reported higher rates of IGD in males. The lack of longitudinal studies and the contradictory results obtained prevent detection of the directionality of the associations and, furthermore, show the complex relationship between both phenomena.

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  1. Spielberger, C., Gorsuch, R.L., and Lushene, R.E. (1970). Manual for the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory, Consulting Psychologists Press.
  2. Sutton, A.J. (2000). Methods for Meta-Analysis in Medical Research, J. Wiley.
  3. Beutel, 2011, Clinical characteristics of computer game and internet addiction in persons seeking treatment in an outpatient clinic for computer game addiction, Z. Psychosom. Med. Psychother., 57, 77
  4. Benker, 2009, Computer game playing: Clinical characteristics of dependence and abuse among adolescents, Wien. Klin. Wochenschr., 121, 502

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Metadata

Authors
González-Bueso, V., Santamaría, J., Fernández, D., Merino, L., Montero, E., & Ribas, J.
Affiliations
  • Generalitat de Catalunya (ES)
  • Victoria University of Wellington (NZ)
Corresponding author
Santamaría, Juan
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2018-04-03
Volume
15
Issue
4
Pages
668
ISSN
1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/ijerph15040668
PMC
PMC5923710
OpenAlex
W2796076872
Cited by
487
References
91
Citations by year
2026: 51 · 2025: 61 · 2024: 63 · 2023: 68 · 2022: 70 · 2021: 70 · 2020: 56 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 6
FWCI
15.49
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • UPCommons institutional repository (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Marsden grant (E2987-3648)
  • AIS (Atención e Investigación en Socioaddiciones)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
Keywords
internet gaming disorder, internet addiction, comorbid psychopathology, anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, sex differences
MeSH terms
Anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Europe, Humans, Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders, Mental Health, Prospective Studies, Comorbidity, Behavior, Addictive, Video Games, Internet

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