Unequal roles of symptoms in Internet gaming disorder: A network analysis in early adolescence and emerging adulthood

IF 3.6 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2025-06-17 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108412

Xinyu Zhou , Qianqian Xie , Shiyao Wang , Monika Gorowska , Min Liao , Peipei Song , Xinwen Dong , Yonghui Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), recognized as a psychiatric condition especially prevalent among young people, still requires further clarification regarding the age-related differences. The current study employed graphical Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (gLASSO) network to assess the central symptoms of IGD in adolescents. Additionally, directed acyclic graphs (DAG) were used to explore the directed dependence among these symptoms. A total of 953 early adolescents (Mage = 11.66, SD = 1.06) and 968 emerging adults (Mage = 19.21, SD = 1.00), all of whom reported at least one symptom on the Nine-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), participated in this study. The results uncovered distinct age-based differences in the symptom structures of IGD. The gLASSO network analysis showed that Spend Time Thinking About Gaming was more central in early adolescence, while Increased Gaming Urges and Unsuccessful Attempts To Reduce were more important components in emerging adulthood. The networks’ stability was estimated to be robust. The DAG analysis indicated that Spend Time Thinking About Gaming was the most influential symptom in early adolescents, triggering a cascade of downstream symptoms. In emerging adulthood, Increased Gaming Urges, Unsuccessful Attempts to Reduce, and Irritated When Trying to Reduce were mutually reinforcing, sustaining the symptomatic network. This empirical evidence enhances our understanding of the symptomatic structure of IGD among different age groups, providing a foundation for tailored interventions.

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网络游戏障碍症状的不平等角色：青少年早期和成年初期的网络分析

网络游戏障碍（IGD）被认为是一种在年轻人中特别普遍的精神疾病，但仍需要进一步澄清与年龄相关的差异。目前的研究采用图形最小绝对收缩和选择算子（gLASSO）网络来评估青少年IGD的中心症状。此外，使用有向无环图（DAG）来探讨这些症状之间的有向依赖性。共有953名早期青少年（Mage = 11.66, SD = 1.06）和968名初出期成人（Mage = 19.21, SD = 1.00）参加了本研究，他们都在九项网络游戏障碍简易量表（IGDS9-SF）中报告了至少一种症状。结果揭示了IGD症状结构在年龄基础上的明显差异。glassso网络分析显示，“花时间思考游戏”在青少年早期更为重要，而“增加游戏冲动”和“试图减少游戏冲动”在成年初期更为重要。该网络的稳定性估计为鲁棒性。DAG分析表明，花时间思考游戏是青少年早期最具影响力的症状，引发了一系列下游症状。在成年初期，增加的游戏冲动，不成功的减少尝试，以及试图减少时的恼怒是相互加强的，维持了症状网络。这一经验证据增强了我们对不同年龄组间IGD症状结构的理解，为量身定制的干预措施提供了基础。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.