The relationship between mental wellbeing and Internet gaming disorder : a quantitative study amongst University students

Abstract

In the DSM-5, Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) was listed as a condition requiring further study. This disorder has been correlated with a higher number of psychosocial and psychopathological problems. The current study explores the prevalence rate of IGD amongst university students and investigates the relationship between IGD and mental wellbeing. University students (N = 166) completed the online questionnaire which consisted of demographics, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF) and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). Amongst the sample, 86.7% were gamers. The prevalence rate for IGD was 4.2%, which increased slightly to 4.9% amongst gamers only. There were no significant differences in WEMWBS scores between disordered and non-disordered gamers. Male gamers (n = 56) who scored higher on the IGDS9-SF showed poorer mental wellbeing than other males. Out of the nine criteria proposed by the APA, jeopardization appeared to be the most severe symptom, whereas escapism showed the least specificity to IGD.