Patterns, persistence, and changes of subtypes of internet gaming disorder among young gamers

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is prevalent and comorbid with psychiatric problems such as depression and hikikomori among young generation. However, existing studies have not examined the longitudinal pathways to IGD development over time.

This study aimed to extend the pathways model of IGD to the longitudinal setting and evaluate the patterns, persistence, and changes of IGD subtypes with varying comorbid problems and associated predictors.

The study included a sample of 601 young gamers (mean age = 23.8) in Hong Kong who completed surveys at two timepoints. Latent transition analysis was conducted based on scores of IGD, depression, hikikomori, and disruptor traits. Multinomial logistic regression models investigated the predictors.

Four latent classes were identified: the healthy class, the socially low IGD class, the disruptive IGD subtype, and the socially depressed IGD subtype. They showed distinct transition patterns and the disruptive IGD subtype was less stable and more likely to recover than the socially depressed IGD type. Low real-world social support, escapism, and playing strategy and MOBA games were associated with the stability of disruptive and socially depressed IGD subtypes. Playing more MMORPGs was associated with transition from the socially low IGD group to other two vulnerable IGD subtypes.

Our findings supported the high comorbidity of IGD with other psychiatric problems rather than appearing alone. The persistence and heterogeneous profiles of two IGD subtypes inform personalized treatments to address the comorbid problems and highlight the importance of establishing real-world social support.