Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers
Published on: November 9, 2019
Internet Game Addiction, Depression, and Escape From Negative Emotions in Adulthood: A Nationwide Community Sample of
Dong Jun Kim1, Kiwon Kim, Hae-Woo Lee
1*Department of Psychiatry, Depression Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine; †Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University; ‡Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Medical Center; §Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; ∥Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and ¶Department of Health Sciences & Technology, Department of Medical Device Management and Research, and Department of Clinical Research Design & Evaluation, and SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between adult Internet game addiction (IGA) and mental disorders. A total of 1401 adults aged between 18 and 74 years participated in this study. The IGA group had significantly younger patients, and it showed a higher proportion of unmarried and unemployed adults, and higher rates of suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt than the non-IGA group. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that IGA was significantly associated with major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and depressive disorders adjusting for all variables. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score was significantly higher in the IGA group than in the non-IGA group for both young adults and middle groups. "Escape from negative emotions like nervousness, sadness, and anger" was the only significant item associated with depression among symptoms of IGA. This study suggests that adults with IGA and depression may use Internet games to escape from negative emotions.
Related Concept Videos
Long-term Depression
Long-term Depression
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Depression: Overview
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Foundations of Self I: Play and Game

