Internet and computer game addiction - a review of current neuroscientific research

IntroductionA significant part computer game players and internet users show clinical features of abuse and addiction (loss of control, withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, continuation of game play even with increasing negative consequence in social and academic life). Similar mechanisms are suggested to underlie the pathogenesis and maintenance of internet and computer game addiction and substance-related addictions.ObjectivesNeuroscientific research on internet and computer game addiction is sparse, yet emerging. To review previous studies is the objective of the present project.AimsWe aim to identify common findings regarding the neurophysiological processes underlying internet and computer …

Procrastination, Distress and Life Satisfaction across the Age Range – A German Representative Community Study

Addressing the lack of population-based data the purpose of this representative study was to assess procrastination and its associations with distress and life satisfaction across the life span. A representative German community sample (1,350 women; 1,177 men) between the ages of 14 and 95 years was examined by the short form of the General Procrastination Scale (GPS-K; 1) and standardized scales of perceived stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue and life satisfaction. As hypothesized, procrastination was highest in the youngest cohort (14-29 years). Only in the youngest and most procrastinating cohort (aged 14 to 29 years), men procrastinated more than women. As we had further hypothesized,…

A clinical evaluation of the DSM-5 criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder and a pilot study on their applicability to further Internet-related disorders.

Background and aims Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and other Internet-related disorders (IRDs) have become growing health concerns in our today’s lives. Based on defined diagnostic criteria, IGD has been recognized as a condition for further research in the DSM-5; however, other IRDs have been excluded. Since the release of the DSM-5, representativeness and appropriateness of the nine diagnostic criteria have been debated. Although some first evidence has been published to evaluate these criteria, our knowledge is still limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide data on the clinical validity of the DSM-5 criteria for IGD and other types of IRD. We were also interested in exami…

Under the umbrella

The inclusion of Internet Gaming Disorder as a preliminary diagnosis subsumed in Section III of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has provoked mixed reactions. On the one hand, it has been appreciated as an important sign stressing the negative health-related impact of that disorder. Likewise, the definition of diagnostic criteria helps scientists and clinicians to refer to mandatory indicators associated with a health problem. On the other hand, it has been objected that this new diagnosis bears the danger of pathologizing normal behaviors that are a feature of healthy recreational activity for many people. However, the existence of diag…

Efficacy of Short-term Treatment of Internet and Computer Game Addiction

Importance Internet and computer game addiction represent a growing mental health concern, acknowledged by the World Health Organization. Objective To determine whether manualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), using short-term treatment for internet and computer game addiction (STICA), is efficient in individuals experiencing internet and computer game addiction. Design, Setting, and Participants A multicenter randomized clinical trial was conducted in 4 outpatient clinics in Germany and Austria from January 24, 2012, to June 14, 2017, including follow-ups. Blinded measurements were conducted. A consecutive sample of 143 men was randomized to the treatment group (STICA; n = 72) or wai…

Komorbide Internetsucht unter Patienten der stationären Suchtrehabilitation: Eine explorative Erhebung zur klinischen Prävalenz

Anliegen: Die exzessive Nutzung des Internets wird als substanzungebundene Form einer Abhangigkeitserkrankung diskutiert. Laut Pravalenzschatzungen ist 1 % der deutschen Bevolkerung betroffen. Ungeklart ist, inwieweit Internetsucht komorbid unter Patienten der stationaren Suchtrehabilitation auftritt. Methode: In 15 Kliniken wurden alle innerhalb eines halben Jahres aufgenommenen Patienten auf das Vorliegen von Internetsucht gescreent. Ergebnisse: 4,2 % der Patienten erfullten die Kriterien. Diese waren haufiger mannlich mit den Primardiagnosen Cannabisabhangigkeit und pathologisches Glucksspiel. Schlussfolgerungen: Dies verdeutlicht den Bedarf an entsprechenden Routinescreenings innerhalb …

Digital Stress over the Life Span: The Effects of Communication Load and Internet Multitasking on Perceived Stress and Psychological Health Impairments in a German Probability Sample

The present study investigated the psychological health effects and motivational origins of digital stress based on a representative survey of 1,557 German Internet users between 14 and 85 years of age. Communication load resulting from private e-mails and social media messages as well as Internet multitasking were positively related to perceived stress and had significant indirect effects on burnout, depression, and anxiety. Perceived social pressure and the fear of missing out on information and social interaction were key drivers of communication load and Internet multitasking. Age significantly moderated the health effects of digital stress as well as the motivational drivers of communi…

Insights Into Aspects Behind Internet-Related Disorders in Adolescents: The Interplay of Personality and Symptoms of Adjustment Disorders

Abstract Purpose Problematic Internet use (PIU) that has recently been referred to as Internet-related disorder is a growing health concern. Yet, it is unclear why some adolescents are developing problematic use, whereas others sustain control. Based on previous research, we hypothesize that personality traits (low conscientiousness and high neuroticism) act as predispositions for PIU. We further hypothesize that PIU can be understood as a maladaptive reaction toward critical life events and that these maladaptive reactions are exacerbated by dysfunctional personality traits. Methods The study investigates the prevalence of distinct subtypes of PIU among a sample of adolescents (n = 1,489; …

Free-to-play: About addicted Whales, at risk Dolphins and healthy Minnows. Monetarization design and Internet Gaming Disorder

Abstract Introduction Video games are not only changing due to technical innovation, but also because of new game design and monetization approaches. Moreover, elite gamer groups with financial in-game-investments co-finance all users of free-to-play-games. Besides questions on youth protection, the growing popularity of free-to-play games has fostered discussions on supposed associations to Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). Method Children and adolescents using free-to-play browser games were examined in a German school-based representative study (N = 3967; age range 12 to 18). Based on a clinical self-report AICA-S (Wolfling et al., 2011), students were categorized into non-problematic, ris…

Psychische Belastung und die Akzeptanz von gewaltlegitimierenden Männlichkeitsnormen bei Jugendlichen

Vor dem Hintergrund der steigenden Anzahl von Jugendlichen mit Migrationshintergrund an der deutschen Bevolkerung war das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie die psychische Belastung bei Jugendlichen mit direktem, indirektem und ohne Migrationshintergrund in einer reprasentativen Schulerbefragung zu beschreiben und zu vergleichen. Die Auspragungen von gewaltlegitimierenden Mannlichkeitsnormen (GLMN) wurden im Zusammenhang mit psychischen Problemen analysiert. Insgesamt wurden 8 518 Schuler und Schulerinnen im Alter von 12 und 19 Jahren aus verschiedenen Schulformen hinsichtlich ihrer selbsteingeschatzten psychischen Belastung in internalisierenden und externalisierenden Problembereichen und ihrer …

Berufsbedingte Einschränkungen und somatische Beschwerden bei Patienten mit Internetbezogenen Störungen im Vergleich zu Pathologischen Glücksspielern

Narcissus plays video games

Abstract Two phenomena of our time have fascinated the general public and the scientific community alike: (a) narcissism as a personality characteristic with important implications for daily social functioning, and (b) the (vast) use of digital media such as video games. But how are these phenomena related to one another? To investigate this question, we administered an online survey to 2,891 individuals to assess their levels of narcissistic admiration and rivalry (NARQ; Back et al., 2013) and their video-gaming activities (frequency of playing, reasons for playing, preferred game genre and role). Results revealed that these narcissism dimensions were differentially related to video gaming…

Evaluation des Beratungsaufkommens der Regionalen Fachstellen Glücksspielsucht in Rheinland-Pfalz

Breaking the habit

Internet gaming disorder has been widely recognized as a new health issue. At present, we are experiencing a rapid growth of knowledge on different aspects of this disorder, such as, for instance, prevalence rates, underlying neurobiological mechanisms, and treatment strategies. In contrast, preventing individuals from developing Internet gaming disorder is a matter that has not yet progressed sufficiently. Although we can basically refer to measures and techniques known to be effective in preventing other addictive behaviors, the special demands of preventing Internet gaming disorder remain largely obscured or disregarded. The policy actions identified in the review by Király et al. (2018)…

Prä-klinische Ansätze der Computerspiel- und Internetsucht: Schulbasierte Präventionsansätze, Medientraining und eine Empfehlung für finanzielle Obergrenzen bei In-Game-Käufen (MIRPPU)

ZusammenfassungAusgewählte Beiträge eines internationalen Reviews zu schulbasierten Präventionsansätzen werden vorgestellt. Aufgrund ihrer Wirksamkeit werden 2 internationale Ansätze dargestellt. Ergänzend werden 5 z.T. evaluierte Ansätze des deutschen Sprachraumes beschrieben.Um einer subklinisch exzessiven Nutzungsgruppe ein benötigtes präventives Angebot zur Verfügung zu stellen, wurde von der Ambulanz für Spielsucht Mainz ein Medientraining konzipiert. Dieser verhaltenstherapeutische Präventionsansatz wird konzeptuell und mit seinen ersten Pilotergebnissen abgebildet. Beim Medientraining handelt es sich um eine gruppentherapeutische Frühintervention für Kinder und Jugendlichen mit probl…

Comorbid Internet Addiction in Male Clients of Inpatient Addiction Rehabilitation Centers

Addictive Internet use has recently been proposed to be included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Still, little is known about its nosological features, including comorbidity with other mental disorders and disorder-specific psychopathological symptoms. To investigate whether Internet addiction (IA) is an issue in patients in addiction treatment, 1826 clients were surveyed in 15 inpatient rehabilitation centers. Male patients meeting criteria for comorbid IA (n = 71) were compared with a matched control group of male patients treated for alcohol addiction without addictive Internet use (n = 58). The SCL-90-R, the Patient Health Questionnaire, and …

Zusammenhänge zwischen Anpassungsstörungen und Internetbezogenen Störungen im Jugendalter: Ergebnisse einer Längsschnittuntersuchung

Bipolar spectrum disorders in a clinical sample of patients with Internet addiction: hidden comorbidity or differential diagnosis?

Background and Aims Behavioral addictions and bipolar disorders have a certain probability of co-occurrence. While the presence of a manic episode has been defined as an exclusion criterion for gambling disorder, no such exclusion has been formulated for Internet addiction. Methods A clinical sample of 368 treatment seekers presenting with excessive to addictive Internet use was screened for bipolar spectrum disorders using the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. Psychopathology was assessed by the Symptom Checklist 90R and a clinical interview was administered to screen for comorbid disorders. Results Comorbid bipolar disorders were more frequent in patients meeting criteria for Internet addictio…

Mobile (Self-)Socialization: The Role of Mobile Media and Communication in Autonomy and Relationship Development in Adolescence

Two of the most important developmental tasks in adolescence are developing autonomy and establishing relationships (i.e., friendships and romantic relationships). Self-socialization processes are ...

A hidden type of internet addiction? Intense and addictive use of social networking sites in adolescents

Internet Gaming Disorder has been included as a preliminary diagnosis in DSM-5. The question remains, if there are additional internet activities related to addictive use. Especially, use of social networking sites has been discussed to be related to excessive use, but only few empirical studies are available. We wanted to explore, if use of social networking sites is related to addiction symptoms and psychosocial distress and which variables (demography, personality) predict addictive use. A representative sample of n?=?9173 adolescents (12-19 years) was enrolled. Self-report questionnaires assessed demography, frequency of social networking sites use, internet addiction, personality, and …

A contribution to the clinical characterization of Internet addiction in a sample of treatment seekers: validity of assessment, severity of psychopathology and type of co-morbidity.

Abstract Objective Internet addiction becomes a growing health problem worldwide with prevalence rates up to 3%. Still, uncertainties exist regarding its diagnostics and clinical characterization. Especially the lacking clinical evidence regarding self-report measures assessing Internet addiction has been criticized. Methods This study aimed to characterize 290 German treatment seekers and to determine the diagnostic accuracy of a self-report scale for Internet addiction. Patients filled in self-report measures (SCL-90R, PHQ, AICA-S – Scale for the Assessment of Internet and Computer game Addiction) and underwent diagnostic interviews to assess symptoms of Internet addiction and level of fu…

The relationship between trait procrastination, Internet use, and psychological functioning : results from a community sample of German adolescents

Adolescents with a strong tendency for irrational task delay (i.e., high trait procrastination) may be particularly prone to use Internet applications simultaneously to other tasks (e.g., during homework) and in an insufficiently controlled fashion. Both Internet multitasking and insufficiently controlled Internet usage may thus amplify the negative mental health implications that have frequently been associated with trait procrastination. The present study explored this role of Internet multitasking and insufficiently controlled Internet use for the relationship between trait procrastination and impaired psychological functioning in a community sample of N = 818 early and middle adolescent…

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

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 m…

Recovery, relapse, or else? Treatment outcomes in gambling disorder from a multicenter follow-up study

AbstractPurpose:Gambling disorder is associated with various adverse effects. While data on the immediate effectiveness of treatment programs are available, follow-up studies examining long-term effects are scarce and factors contributing to a stable therapy outcome versus relapse are under-researched.Materials and methods:Patients (n = 270) finishing inpatient treatment for gambling disorder regularly participated in a prospective multicenter follow-up study (pre-treatment, post-treatment, 12-month follow-up). Criteria for gambling disorder, psychopathology, functional impairment were defined as endpoints. Changes in personality were defined as an additional parameter.Results:At follow-up,…

Internetbezogene Störungen: Wo kann Prävention ansetzen?

Zusammenfassung Internetbezogene Störungen umfassen unterschiedliche Onlineaktivitäten, die exzessiv entgleiten, das Leben Betroffener dominieren und zu nachhaltigen negativen Folgen führen können. Da internetbezogene Störungen einen chronischen Verlauf nehmen und eine erhöhte psychopathologische Symptombelastung bedingen können, sind wirksame Interventionsprogramme und evaluierte Präventionsangebote dringend notwendig.

Suchtartige Internetnutzung als komorbide Störung im jugendpsychiatrischen Setting

Einleitung: Die exzessiv suchtartige Internetnutzung bei Kindern und Jugendlichen, welche sich in ähnlichen Symptomen äußern kann wie klassische Abhängigkeitserkrankungen, ist ein Phänomen, dem Wissenschaft und Praxis immer mehr Beachtung schenken. Prävalenzen von 3 % unter Kindern und Jugendlichen deuten auf ein häufig vorkommendes Problem hin, das bei Betroffenen zu Funktionseinschränkungen führt und mit hohem Leidensdruck einhergeht. Ungeklärt ist, wie häufig Internetsucht unter Patienten jugendpsychiatrischer Einrichtungen auftritt. Methodik: Zur erstmaligen Bestimmung der Prävalenz von Internetsucht unter psychiatrisch behandelten Jugendlichen wurde ein standardisiertes Screening-Inst…

Permanently online and permanently procrastinating? The mediating role of Internet use for the effects of trait procrastination on psychological health and well-being

A growing number of studies suggest that Internet users frequently utilize online media as “tools for procrastination.” This study thus investigated the relationship between trait procrastination, Internet use, and psychological well-being in a representative sample of N = 1,577 German Internet users. The results revealed that trait procrastination was associated with an increased use of leisure-related online content and impaired control over Internet use. As a result, Internet users high in trait procrastination showed a higher risk of experiencing negative consequence of Internet use in other life domains. These negative repercussions of insufficiently self-regulated Internet use partia…

Working towards an international consensus on criteria for assessing internet gaming disorder: a critical commentary on Petry et al. (2014).

This commentary paper critically discusses the recent debate paper by Petry et al. (2014) that argued there was now an international consensus for assessing Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). Our collective opinions vary considerably regarding many different aspects of online gaming. However, we contend that the paper by Petry and colleagues does not provide a true and representative international community of researchers in this area. This paper critically discusses and provides commentary on (i) the representativeness of the international group that wrote the ‘consensus’ paper, and (ii) each of the IGD criteria. The paper also includes a brief discussion on initiatives that could be taken to…

Adding Clinical Validity to the Statistical Power of Large-Scale Epidemiological Surveys on Internet Addiction in Adolescence

OBJECTIVE Research has indicated that internet addiction is associated with psychosocial maladjustment in adolescence. Many epidemiologic surveys are lacking representativeness, and knowledge on disorder-specific risk factors is scarce. One weakness of epidemiologic studies often regards their lack of generalizability to clinical reality. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed description of internet addiction among adolescents, focusing on its prevalence in a population-based context, psychopathological correlates, and predisposing factors. METHODS The main analyses were based on 2 large representative samples of German adolescents (N = 9,293; 12-19 years) collected in 2012, and t…

Assessing Procrastination

Abstract. The short form of the General Procrastination Scale (GPS-K; Klingsieck & Fries, 2012 ; Lay, 1986 ) is a reliable self-report scale measuring general procrastination. The presumed one-dimensional factor structure of the scale, however, has never been examined. Thus, the purposes of this representative study were to examine its dimensionality and factorial invariance across age and sex, and to provide norm values of the German general population. The GPS-K was administered to a representative community sample ( N = 2,527; age range 14–95 years). A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted. To explore convergent validity, standardized scales of distress and life satisfact…

Evidenzbasierter Jugendschutz in Computerspielen: Eine Obergrenze für Mikrotransaktionen von 16 € pro Monat

The Association Between Video Gaming and Psychological Functioning

Video gaming is an extremely popular leisure-time activity with more than two billion users worldwide (Newzoo, 2017). However, the media as well as professionals have underscored the potential dangers of excessive video gaming. With the present research, we aimed to shed light on the relation between video gaming and gamers’ psychological functioning. Questionnaires on personality and psychological health as well as video gaming habits were administered to 2,734 individuals (2,377 male, 357 female, Mage = 23.06, SDage = 5.91). Results revealed a medium-sized negative correlation between problematic video gaming and psychological functioning with regard to psychological symptoms, affectivity…

Maladaptive Personality Traits and Their Interaction with Outcome Expectancies in Gaming Disorder and Internet-Related Disorders

Gambling disorder and gaming disorder have recently been recognized as behavioral addictions in the ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition). The association between behavioral addictions and personality has been examined before, yet there is a lack of studies on maladaptive traits and their relationship to specific outcome expectancies. In study 1, we recruited a community sample (n = 365)

Prävalenz von Internetsucht vor und während der COVID-19 Pandemie unter Studierenden der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie Internetsucht ist eine Verhaltensstörung, von welcher v. a. Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene, unter ihnen auch Studierende an Hochschulen betroffen sind. Die COVID-19 Pandemie führte aufgrund der Maßnahmen zu ihrer Eindämmung zu starken Einbußen sozialer Beziehungen, Studium und Freizeitaktivitäten der Studierenden. Diese Studie untersuchte, wie hoch die Prävalenz der Internetsucht unter Studierenden vor und während der COVID-19 Pandemie ausfällt und welche soziodemografischen (Geschlecht, Fachgruppe) und Gesundheitsfaktoren (Depressionssymptome, Einsamkeit, Ängste, Impulsivität) mit Internetsuchtsymptomen assoziiert sind. Methodik In der vorliegenden Studie …

Emotionale Befindlichkeit und dysfunktionale Stressverarbeitung bei Personen mit Internetsucht

Ziele: Die suchtartige Nutzung des Internet ist ein Phänomen, das immer stärker in das öffentliche Bewusstsein vordringt. Eine hinreichende klinische Charakterisierung, wie auch Befunde zu ätiopathologischen Faktoren fehlen bislang jedoch. In der vorliegenden Studie wurden zwei verschiedene Klientengruppen hinsichtlich Symptombelastung, Coping und Affektivität mit gesunden Kontrollprobanden verglichen. Methodik: Es nahmen insgesamt 45 Personen an der Studie teil; jeweils zu gleichen Teilen Personen, die wegen des Verdachts auf Internetsucht regionale Beratungsstellen aufsuchten bzw. Personen, die in einer spezialisierten Spielsuchtambulanz vorstellig wurden, sowie gesunde Kontrollpersonen.…

Discounting delayed monetary rewards and decision making in behavioral addictions - A comparison between patients with gambling disorder and internet gaming disorder.

Abstract Behavior addictions, such as Gambling Disorder and Internet Gaming Disorder, have been demonstrated to have severe negative impact. Heightened impulsivity, deficits in decision making, and cognitive biases in the preference of immediate rewards have been shown to be crucial aspects in addictive disorders. While for Gambling Disorder (GD), dysfunctional decision making has been documented before, data for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) are still underrepresented. In order to allow for a direct comparison of both disorders, we assessed different measures of impulsivity (trait, impulsive choice, and decision making) in a clinical sample. N = 31 patients meeting criteria for GD and n =…

Vereinheitlichung der Bezeichnungen für Verhaltenssüchte

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Es existiert eine Vielzahl von Begriffen für Verhaltenssüchte, die Mängel in Operationalisierung, Bezug zum Verhalten, Kompatibilität mit internationalen Klassifikationen sowie nicht stigmatisierender Nutzung aufweisen. Daher werden einheitliche Begriffe für Verhaltenssüchte benötigt. Methode: Im Rahmen einer Leitlinie zur Diagnostik und Behandlung Internetbezogener Störungen wurden Lösungen in Form eines Expertenkonsens entwickelt. Ergebnisse: Als Grundlage wurde die Einteilung von Verhaltenssüchten in der 11. Revision der International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) genutzt. Es wurden die Begriffe Computerspielstörung (CSS) und Glücksspielstörung (GSS)…

Internet- und Computerspielsucht

Das Kapitel gibt einen umfassenden Uberblick zum Konzept der Internet- und Computerspielsucht. Zunachst werden diagnostische Kriterien und Screening-Instrumente zur Diagnose in ihrer Entstehungsgeschichte vom Konzept der Internet Addiction nach Kimberley Young bis hin zur Aufnahme der Internet Gaming Disorder unter den „conditions for further study“ im DSM-5 vergleichend dargestellt. Es schliest sich ein Uberblick zur Epidemiologie von Internet- und Computerspielsucht an. Dieser zeigt, dass sich bislang die Pravalenzschatzungen zwischen 3 und 15 % bewegen und demnach eine hohe Bandbreite aufweisen. Abschliesend werden Befunde zur Komorbiditat und zu Risikokorrelaten einer Internet- und Comp…

Is Sensation Seeking a correlate of excessive behaviors and behavioral addictions? A detailed examination of patients with Gambling Disorder and Internet Addiction

Sensation Seeking has repeatedly been related to substance use. Also, its role as a correlate of Gambling Disorder has been discussed although research has led to heterogeneous results. Likewise, first studies on Internet Addiction have indicated increased Sensation Seeking, to some extent contradicting clinical impression of patients suffering from internet addiction. We assessed Sensation Seeking in a clinical sample of n=251 patients with Gambling Disorder, n=243 patients with internet addiction, n=103 clients with excessive but not addictive internet use, and n=142 healthy controls. The clinical groups were further sub-divided according to the preferred type of addictive behavior (slot-…

Ambulante Rehabilitation und Behandlung der Internet- und Glücksspielsucht

Internet Addiction and Internet Gaming Disorder

Several forms of excessive pathological Internet use, such as Internet addiction (IA), Internet gaming disorder (IGD), or gaming disorder (GD) are perceived as public health concerns. IGD was included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a research diagnosis and recently GD was announced for the International Classification of Disease (ICD-11). IA represents a variety of excessive and unregulated consumption of video games, social networking, chat rooms, use of online pornography, online gambling, or the aimless gathering and research of information. The outpatient treatment program Short-Term Treatment of Internet and Computer Game Addiction (STICA) aims …