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Cited by 190Impact of Technology on AdolescentsGambling Behavior and TreatmentsSexuality, Behavior, and Technology

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 45 of the 45 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Gaming Disorders in Southeast Asia: A Meta-Analysis

Open access
Chia, Doris X. Y., Ng, Charis W. L., Kandasami, Gomathinayagam, Seow, Mavis Y. L., Choo, Carol C., Chew, Peter K. H., Lee, Cheng, Zhang, Melvyn W. B.·2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
DOI 10.3390/ijerph17072582PMC PMC7177828
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Abstract

This meta-analytic review aimed to examine the pooled prevalence rates of Internet addiction and gaming disorders in Southeast Asia. Several databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Central were searched and a total of 24 studies were included in this study. The selection of studies was conducted in accordance to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two meta-analyses were conducted to examine data on Internet addiction and gaming disorders separately. A random-effects model was employed to derive the pooled prevalence rate. Mixed-effects meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to examine the moderators of the between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias was tested using the Egger’s regression test and funnel plot. Only seven out of the 11 Southeast Asian countries were represented in the literature. All except for two of the included studies were cross-sectional in nature. The findings revealed a pooled prevalence rate of 20.0% (95% confidence interval: 14.5%–27.0%) and 10.1% (95% confidence interval: 7.3%–13.8%) for Internet addiction and gaming disorders respectively. Mean age and study population were significant moderators of the between-study heterogeneity in the prevalence rates of gaming disorders such that samples involving older participants showed higher prevalence rate than those involving younger individuals. Country of study was found to be significant moderator of the between-heterogeneity for both Internet addiction and gaming disorders, however the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small and unbalanced sample sizes. There was no significant publication bias. Such epidemiology research should be extended to the Southeast Asian countries that have not been studied or are under-studied. Given that the prevalence rates appear to be higher in Southeast Asia than in other world regions, future research should also explore the factors behind these inter-regional differences. Further longitudinal studies should also be conducted to examine the trajectories of such disorders.

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Figure 1 Flowchart depicting the process of study selection.
Figure 1 Flowchart depicting the process of study selection.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 2 Forest plot of prevalence rates of Internet addiction.
Figure 2 Forest plot of prevalence rates of Internet addiction.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 3 Forest plot of prevalence rates of gaming disorders.
Figure 3 Forest plot of prevalence rates of gaming disorders.CC BY · PubMed Central

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Metadata

Authors
Chia, D. X. Y., Ng, C. W. L., Kandasami, G., Seow, M. Y. L., Choo, C. C., Chew, P. K. H., Lee, C., & Zhang, M. W. B.
Affiliations
  • Institute of Mental Health (SG)
  • James Cook University Singapore (SG)
  • University of Waikato (NZ)
  • James Cook University (AU)
  • Nanyang Technological University (SG)
Corresponding author
Zhang, Melvyn W. B.
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2020-04-09
Volume
17
Issue
7
Pages
2582
ISSN
1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/ijerph17072582
PMC
PMC7177828
OpenAlex
W3015987463
Cited by
190
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 3
FWCI
4.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ResearchOnline - JCU (James Cook University) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Commons (University of Waikato) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • DR-NTU (Nanyang Technological University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
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 addiction, gaming disorder, prevalence, Southeast Asia, age as moderator, regional variation, gambling addiction, internet gaming disorder
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Asia, Southeastern, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Prevalence, Behavior, Addictive, Video Games, Internet

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