Investigating Risk Factors for Internet Gaming Disorder: A Comparison of Patients with Addictive Gaming, Pathological Gamblers and Healthy Controls regarding the Big Five Personality Traits

Abstract

Engaging in online games has become increasingly important as a part of leisure activity in adolescents and adults. While the majority of people use these games in a healthy way, epidemiological studies show that some develop excessive use and symptoms that are related to those of substance-related addictions. Despite increasing research concerning the epidemiology of internet gaming disorder (IGD), predisposing factors have been examined to a lesser extent. Knowing about specific risk factors would help clarify the nosological features of IGD and enhance prevention and intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between personality traits and IGD. A total of 115 patients meeting the criteria for IGD were compared to 167 control subjects displaying either regular or intense use of online games. Additionally, 115 patients meeting diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling were included. IGD was associated with higher neuroticism, decreased conscientiousness and low extraversion. The comparisons to pathological gamblers indicate that low conscientiousness and low extraversion in particular are characteristic of IGD. An integration of personality variables into an etiopathological model describing presumable mechanisms fostering and maintaining addictive online gaming is proposed. This model could be helpful for the theoretical understanding of addictive gaming, public health campaigns and psychoeducation within therapeutic settings.

Internet Gaming Disorder Behaviors in Emergent Adulthood: a Pilot Study Examining the Interplay Between Anxiety and Family Cohesion

“…In this context, MMOs require the development of an online character (avatar) through which the player interacts with both the virtual world and other players (Elliot et al 2012). Research has consistently demonstrated excessive online use behaviors among MMO players and higher rates of IGD prevalence compared to players of other game genres (Caplan et al 2009;Müller et al 2014;Stavropoulos et al 2016). More specifically, MMO players have been found to play longer, and exhibit irritability when not able to play (Berle et al 2015), as well as lower self-regulation, increased impulsivity, and reduced agreeableness (Collins et al 2012).…”

Internet Gaming Disorder

“…The personality characteristics associated with IGD include neuroticism, sensation seeking, trait anxiety, state anxiety, and aggression [25]. Comparisons with pathologic gamblers indicate that low conscientiousness and low extraversion are specific characteristics of IGD [26]. High levels of impulsivity also have been associated with IGD [27,28].…”

Psychometric properties of the big five inventory in a Mexican sample (Propiedades psicométricas del Inventario de los Cinco Grandes en una muestra mexicana)

“…Maybe one of the most thoroughly tested and studied correlations of the model is the association between neuroticism and psychopathology. The influence of this factor on mental health has been consistently reported and there is extensive research, specially on its correlation with depression and anxiety, [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] but also with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, [15][16][17] substance abuse, 18,19 internet gaming disorder, 20 the frequency in engaging in different risk behaviors, 21 response to treatment 13,22 and even health 23 and psychopathology in general.…”