Prevalence and Associated Factors of Internet Gaming Disorder among Residents in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is an emerging psychiatric disorder that has received attention over the past decade. Few studies have attempted to describe this disorder in the Saudi population. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of IGD and associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted using translated Arabic and a validated questionnaire targeting both genders in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study using a validated questionnaire (IGD-20) and targeting Arabic-speaking children, youth, and transitional age including both genders. A snowball approach was used to sample our population using an electronic survey. Logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with IGD diagnosis. The study was guided by the STROBE statement. Results: Among 419 individuals who participated in the study, 171 were classified as non-IGD, 167 were at risk for IGD (RIGD), and 72 were IGD. There is no significant association between IGD diagnosis and gender, nationality, residence, and family income. Time playing per week was significantly associated with IGD diagnosis (X2=49.256, p<0.01). There is a significant association between IGD-20 groups and categorical age groups (X2=10.096, p<0.01). Among our sample, the percentages of males (54.2%) and females (45.8%) who met the criteria for IGD were comparable. Conclusion: IGD and RIGD prevalence was significantly high in both age groups. Both males and females were affected similarly.

Impulsivity and aggression as risk factors for internet gaming disorder among university students

“…Further, those who played for 7-19 h per week followed closely in terms of their mean IGD score, and an additional 17% of them fell in the disordered gamers' group (derived from Table 2). These findings were not surprising given that several previous studies have linked gaming duration to higher IGD severity 7,59,60 . In their meta-analysis of 155 studies on adolescents and young adults from 33 countries, Gao et al 9 also found time spent on playing as an important risk factor along with other psychosocial factors.…”

“…Together, the present findings and those of previous studies and meta-analyses suggest that we need to be mindful of the amount of time young individuals spend on gaming, as it is a strong risk factor for developing IGD. Further, while the negative effects of gaming for > 20 h a week are quite evident 7 , the present results suggest that there still may be hope for the 7-19 h group because though they may be at risk of IGD, there is still hope for timely preventive intervention for most of them.…”