The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale

• In Event: The Tools for a Good (Research) Life: Advances in Game Studies Theory and Method

Abstract

Recently, the American Psychiatric Association included Internet Gaming Disorder in the appendix of the 5th edition of the DSM. The main aim of the current study is to test the reliability, dimensionality, and validity of two instruments to measure Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), based on the nine criteria from the DSM-5 (APA, 2013). The properties of two types of survey tools (an IGD scale and an IGD index) were tested among a representative sample of 2444 adolescents and adults, aged 13 through 40. Confirmatory factor analyses in SEM indicated that the IGD index generally had better psychometric properties than the IGD scale, indicating that sum-scores of a dichotomous measurement may be more suited than mean scores on a frequency scale. Both types of measurement showed good convergent validity. The prevalence of IGD among 13-40 year olds is approximately 6%, mostly males. Interestingly, the prevalence is slightly higher among young adults than among adolescents, or middle adults.

Authors

• Jeroen S Lemmens, U of Amsterdam

• Patti M. Valkenburg, U of Amsterdam

• Douglas Gentile, Iowa State U