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A longitudinal study on psychosocial causes and consequences of Internet gaming disorder in adolescence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2018

Lutz Wartberg ,
Levente Kriston ,
Matthias Zieglmeier ,
Tania Lincoln  and
Rudolf Kammerl
Lutz Wartberg*
Affiliation:
German Center for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence (DZSKJ), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
Levente Kriston
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
Matthias Zieglmeier
Affiliation:
Chair for Pedagogy with a Focus on Media Education, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Regensburger Straße 160, 90478 Nuremberg, Germany
Tania Lincoln
Affiliation:
Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 5, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
Rudolf Kammerl
Affiliation:
Chair for Pedagogy with a Focus on Media Education, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Regensburger Straße 160, 90478 Nuremberg, Germany
*
Author for correspondence: Lutz Wartberg, E-mail: lwartberg@uke.de
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Abstract

Background

In 2013, Internet gaming disorder (IGD) was incorporated in the current version of the DSM-5. IGD refers to a problematic use of video games. Longitudinal studies on the etiology of IGD are lacking. Furthermore, it is currently unclear to which extent associated psychopathological problems are causes or consequences of IGD. In the present survey, longitudinal associations between IGD and adolescent and parental mental health were investigated for the first time, as well as the temporal stability of IGD.

Methods

In a cross-lagged panel design study, family dyads (adolescent with a parent each) were examined in 2016 (t1) and again 1 year later (2017, t2). Overall, 1095 family dyads were assessed at t1 and 985 dyads were re-assessed at t2 with standardized measures of IGD and several aspects of adolescent and parental mental health. Data were analyzed with structural equation modeling (SEM).

Results

Male gender, a higher level of hyperactivity/inattention, self-esteem problems and IGD at t1 were predictors of IGD at t2. IGD at t1 was a predictor for adolescent emotional distress at t2. Overall, 357 out of the 985 adolescents received a diagnosis of IGD at t1 or t2: 142 (14.4%) at t1 and t2, 100 (10.2%) only at t1, and 115 (11.7%) only at t2.

Conclusions

Hyperactivity/inattention and self-esteem problems seem to be important for the development of IGD. We found first empirical evidence that IGD could prospectively contribute to a deterioration of adolescent mental health. Only a subgroup of affected adolescents showed IGD consistently over 1 year.

Keywords

AdolescentshyperactivityInternet addictionlongitudinal analysispsychopathology
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 49 , Issue 2 , January 2019 , pp. 287 - 294
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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