A longitudinal study on the impact of Internet gaming disorder on self‐perceived health, academic performance, and social life of first‐year college students

Abstract

Background and Objectives Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is associated with health, social, and academic problems but whether these are consequences of the disorder rather than precursors or correlates is unclear. We aimed to evaluate whether IGD in the 1st year of university predicts health, academic and social problems 1 year later, controlling for baseline health, academic and social problems, demographics, and mental health symptoms. Methods In a prospective cohort study, 1741 university students completed both a baseline online survey in their 1st year and a follow‐up survey 1 year later. Log‐binomial models examined the strength of prospective associations between baseline predictor variables (IGD, baseline health, academic and social problems, sex, age, and mental health symptoms) and occurrence of health, academic and social problems at follow‐up. Results When extensively adjusted by the corresponding outcome at baseline, any mental disorder symptoms, sex, and age, baseline IGD was associated only with severe school impairment and poor social life (risk ratio [RR] = 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.14–2.75, p = .011; RR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.07–1.38, p = .002, respectively). Conclusions and Scientific Significance University authorities and counselors should consider that incoming 1st‐year students that meet criteria for IGD are likely to have increased academic and social impairments during their 1st year for which they may want to intervene. This study adds to the existing literature by longitudinally examining a greater array of negative outcomes of IGD than previously documented.

Investigating the interplay between gaming disorder and functional impairments in professional esports gaming

“…These specific areas included: 'family'; 'friends'; 'partner'; 'school and/or work'; 'physical health'; and 'psychological health' . These specific types of functional impairments were proposed on the basis of a previous research attesting their relevance and role in disordered gaming (see [32][33][34][35] ).…”

Internet gaming disorder and the alternative five factor personality model: a study in a Spanish community sample

“…The detection of risk personality patterns for IGD could be useful in the design of prevention and treatment programs for gambling disorders. The IGD can negatively affect school or college performance, and cause job loss or marital failure (Benjet et al, 2023;Chattopadhyay et al, 2020;Grzegorzewska, 2017;Pereira et al, 2021). Ji et al (2022) carried out a meta-analysis, in which strong correlations were found between IGD and maladaptive cognitions and motivations that were amenable to therapeutic treatment.…”

Internet gaming disorder in medical students: Is it a risk factor for poor educational outcomes?

“…The results of these studies indicate a significant correlation between the two. [11][12][13][14][15] A review of the literature shows that global aspects of the educational system have been studied locally [16][17][18][19][20] and nationally 21 from the quality of services, motivation, 22 and career destiny 23 mostly from one angle view (i.e., educational perspectives). However, in a cross-discipline view to integrate psychological issues into the educational system, there is still work to do.…”