Conduct problems and depressive symptoms in association with problem gambling and gaming: A systematic review

Abstract

Background and aimsBehavioral addictions such as gambling and gaming disorder are significant public health issues that are of increasing importance to policy makers and health care providers. Problem gambling and gaming behaviors have been identified as being associated with externalizing and internalizing problems, with theoretical models suggesting that both conduct problems and depressive symptoms may be significant risk factors in the development of problem gambling and gaming. As such, the purpose of this systematic review is to provide an overview of research identifying the relationship between conduct problems, depressive symptoms and problem gambling and gaming among adolescents and young adults.MethodsSystematic literature searches in accordance with PRISMA guidelines found 71 eligible studies that met the inclusion criteria, 47 for problem gambling, 23 for problem gaming and one for both problem behaviors.ResultsBased on cross-sectional evidence, both problem gambling and gaming are consistently concurrently associated with conduct problems and depressive symptoms. Longitudinal evidence appears to be clearer for conduct problems as a risk factor for problem gambling, and depressive symptoms as a risk factor for problem gaming. However, both risk factors appear to increase the risk for these problem behaviors.Discussion and ConclusionsResults from the literature review suggest that problem gambling and gaming are associated with the presence of conduct problems and depressive symptoms, with the potential of sharing common etiological factors. Additional research is necessary to confirm these longitudinal relationships with an emphasis on investigating the interaction of both early conduct problems and depressive symptoms.

Between two worlds: Exploring esports betting in relation to problem gambling, gaming, and mental health problems

“…The present study sought to explore the effect of the frequency of participation in various gambling activities and video gaming intensity (i.e., how often do you play 2þ hours of video games in a day) onto both externalizing and internalizing problems among adolescents. Given the association between esports betting and both PG and PVG and previous research demonstrating an association between mental health outcomes and both PG and PVG (Derevensky, 2019;Richard et al, 2020), we hypothesized that increased gambling frequency and video gaming intensity would be associated with greater externalizing and internalizing problems and that these effects would be mediated by symptoms of PG and PVG. Within this broader objective, specific attention is brought to exploring the relationship between esports betting and symptoms of PG and PVG.…”

“…Nonetheless, the link between esports betting and mental health remains unexplored. The potential elevated risk for both PG and PVG suggests that esports betting may place adolescents at-risk for mental health symptoms found to be comorbid with PG and PVG including internalizing (e.g., depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem) and externalizing problems (e.g., conduct problems, and inattention/hyperactivity) Dowling et al, 2017;Giralt et al, 2018;Livazovi c & Boj ci c, 2019;Richard, Fletcher, Boutin, Derevensky, & Temcheff, 2020). Further, given the expected growth in the esports betting market, research is needed on the potential risk esports betting represents for youth.…”

Diathesis stress or differential susceptibility? testing the relationship between stressful life events, neuroticism, and internet gaming disorder among Chinese adolescents

“…As of June 2021, the number of Internet users in China has reached 1 billion, while the number of online game users has reached 510 million, including more than 100 million young users [ 1 ]. Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is defined as a persistent and recurrent engagement in Internet gaming which results in distress [ 2 ]. As IGD has become a global public health issue, it has been included in the updated version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Disorders (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and is thus attracting enormous attention from researchers [ 3 , 4 ].…”

What game we are playing: the psychosocial context of problem gambling, problem gaming and poor well-being among Italian high school students

“…Gambling and gaming are recreational activities but also a major public health concern ( Richard et al., 2020 ) when they shape a persistent and recurrent problematic behaviour leading to clinically significant impairment (e.g. conflicts, distrust, breakdown of the family unit, jeopardizing of friendships, worsening of school performance) or distress ( American Psychiatric Association, 2013 ).…”