Prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in University Students and its Relationship with Depression

Abstract

Introduction: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is the emerging disorder in adolescents. The most common motivators behind IGD is coping with stressors, escapism, control over one's life, excitement and challenges. Aims:The current study was done with the aims: 1) To find the prevalence of IGD in university students 2) To find the prevalence of depression among university students 3) To find the association of IGD with depression among university students. Settings and Design:A descriptive research design was used to collect data from a private university. Setting of the study was food court of the selected university.Methods and Material: A total of 91 college students were recruited from a selected university. Purposive sampling method was used to collect the data. Internet Gaming Disorder addiction was checked with the help of DSM-5 criteria. Depression was checked with the help of PHQ-9 questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used:Chi-square was used to check the association between IGD and depression.Results: Twenty-one (23%) respondents were found to have IGD. Out of 21 respondents who had IGD, 9 were having mild depression, 4 were having moderate and 3 were having severe depression. Out of 70 respondents who did not suffer from IGD, 28 showed no signs of depression, 36 had mild depression and only 6 reported moderate depression. None of them had severe depression. The results demonstrated that internet gaming disorder was significantly associated with depression (p<0.005). Conclusions:Majority of the respondents having IGD had also reported co-morbid depression on PHQ-9 questionnaire. Thus depression needs to be identified and treated in clients suffering with Internet gaming disorder.

Internet Gaming Disorder: A Scoping Review and Future Direction

“…14,21 In India, the prevalence of IGD among university students, school children, youths, and adolescents has been observed to range from 3.6% to 23.0%. 2,3,23 The prevalence of IGD, differs across the world, and has been estimated, through many studies, to be between 0.3% and 17.7%. 4,6,7,10,24,25 A European study, covering seven countries, assessed the prevalence and correlation of IGD with a sample of 1,938 adolescents belonging to the age group of 14 to 17 years.…”

“…6,32,33 Relations between comorbidity and IGD were also tested in clinical representation (i.e., IGD treatment-seekers). 2,34 For context, in a sample of 263 patients with IGD and 153 safe subjects equivalent, the study used a hierarchical logistic regression model that involved demographic variables (gender and age), cognitive factors (IQ and persevering errors), psychopathological disorders (ADHD, depression, anxiety, and impulsivity) and social experience factors (family settings, social anxiety, and impulsivity). 34 The investigators stated that all four variables were strongly correlated with IGD, with psychologic disorders identified as the most critical risk factors.…”

“…34 A common comorbidity of internet gaming disorder is depression. 2,33 The presence of comorbid depression and internet gaming disorder is linked to more significant psychiatric phenomenology, and a higher psychiatric load. 33 A study conducted on a sample of 24 young men fulfilling the DSM-5 criteria for IGD and 25 matched controls has shown that patients with IGD reported higher everyday chronic stress as well as psychopathological comorbidity.…”

“…1,24 Depression, anxiety and suicidal behavior are a few of negative outcomes associated with IGD. 1,2,7,37 Some studies reported that people with IGD had conflict with near and dear loved ones and a smaller number of real-world friends; inducing social isolation and social phobias. 1,6,24,32 Some had troubled sleep-wake cycles and sleep quality, which affects health.…”

“…The popularity of digital gaming in recent years has shifted how individuals play games and how they are studied. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Most people usually play video games for the enhancement of concentration, problem-solving skills, building teamwork, simple enjoyment and many more qualities. 1,5 Video games can vary according to type (e.g., gunfire, -role-playing, and strategy), platforms (e.g., personal computer, smartphone), modes (e.g., singleplayer, team playing, multi-player and competing against other players), online connectivity (i.e., playing online or offline), and purposes (e.g., defeating an opponent using violence, persuasion, or furtiveness strategies).…”