A descriptive survey of online gaming characteristics and gaming disorder in Ireland

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to carry out the first ever study of gaming characteristics of individuals engaging in online gaming in Ireland and to ascertain whether features of gaming disorder are present in this population. Methods An online survey (comprising 21 questions – 3 demographic questions and 18 questions related to gaming and gaming disorder) was distributed on numerous Irish online gaming forums and Irish online gaming communities. Participants were self-selected and invited to compete the online survey containing questions related to gaming behaviours (age of onset, hours played on weekdays/weekends, type of device used), mobile gaming, motives for online gaming, use of microtransactions, engagement in esports, and a screening tool for the presence of gaming disorder. Results A total of 166 participants engaged in the online survey. Among this study population of regular gamers in Ireland, 2.4% of the study population were classified as having gaming disorder, with up to 5.4% showing some evidence of disordered gaming. The main motivation for online gaming in the non-disordered gaming group was recreation (13.3, sd = 2.7) but only the fourth main motivation in the disordered gaming group behind competition (16.3, sd = 3.7), escape (16.2, sd = 4.3), and coping (15.1, sd = 3.7). Increased hours of gameplay on weekdays and weekends were noted in the disordered gaming group compared to non-disordered gamers. Conclusions A small percentage of gamers in Ireland demonstrate disordered gaming characteristics and gaming disorder, consistent with data from other international studies. Epidemiological studies are required in Ireland to enhance our knowledge of this disorder.

A descriptive pilot survey of behavioural addictions in an adolescent secondary school population in Ireland

“…More than half of gamers (56.3%) in the study spent between 1-5 hours per day on gaming on the weekends, in line with other studies on excessive gaming (Grüsser et al, 2006) and studies on adult Irish gamers (Columb et al, 2020a). The amount of time spent on gaming correlated with higher gaming addiction scores, which is an identified risk factor for the development of gaming addiction (Mihara and Higuchi, 2017) although the amount of time spent gaming is not necessarily associated with problem gaming (Griffiths, 2010b).…”

“…Gaming disorder has been associated with a number of mental health symptoms (González-Bueso et al, 2018) and increased substance misuse (Van Rooij et al, 2014). The reasons why individuals engage in online gaming are also important, with a recent study of adult gamers in Ireland showing that non-disordered gamers used gaming as a recreational and social pursuit whereas disordered gamers used gaming as a coping mechanism or an escape strategy (Columb et al, 2020a), concurrent with other studies in this area (Király et al, 2015, Kim et al, 2016. Gaming micro-transactions (e.g.…”

“…Gaming questions focused on the age participants started playing videogames both online and offline, the hours spent gaming during the weekend and weekdays, any limits that parents had placed on their gaming time and devices they used for gaming. Participants selected the games they engaged with online from a list of 27 of the most popular online games used in a previous study of Irish adults gamers (Columb et al, 2020a). Mobile game frequency was assessed using popular mobile games such as Candy Crush Saga, Fortnite, Pokemon Go!, Toon Blast, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Clash of Clans, ROBLOX, Guns of Glory, Dragon Ball Z and Dokkan Battle.…”

COVID-19 and Substance Use Disorder: Study Protocol for the International Society of Addiction Medicine Practice and Policy Interest Group Global Survey

“…Compounding this scenario, group-based effective therapies that were held before the start of the pandemic to support people with SUD with emotional and psychological distress have been canceled due to the restrictions imposed. Switching to internet-based group platforms may not be applicable for all (Columb et al, 2020;Knopf, 2020). Given the above points, addiction medicine is considered as potentially one of the services that could have been severely affected by measures imposed to curb a pandemic such as COVID-19.…”

“…It logically comes to mind that country-specific restrictions, governmental regulations, quarantine limitations, and lockdowns could have changed the way those people access and use alcohol and drugs. Additionally, these changes would have increased the potential risks of morbidity and mortality (Columb, Hussain, & O'Gara, 2020;Kar, Arafat, Sharma, Dixit, Marthoenis, & Kabir 2020). People with SUD are therefore highly challenged by social distancing and health service limitations, especially those who are in treatment or in recovery programs (Volkow, 2020).…”