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Relationship Between Personality Traits and Social Avoidance With Internet Gaming Disorder Severity
Yan Mei Nie1, Mark J Hilsenroth1
1Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York, USA.
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
|January 28, 2026
Summary
Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is linked to significant psychological issues like anxiety and poor self-control. Interventions should focus on impulsivity and social skills for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The increasing prevalence of internet gaming necessitates understanding its psychological impact.
- Previous research explored DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in European young adults.
- This study examines psychological functioning in a US sample of young adults with varying IGD severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate and extend previous findings on IGD in a US context.
- To investigate the relationship between IGD severity and alexithymia, anxiety, maladaptive personality traits, and interpersonal problems.
- To identify key predictors of IGD severity for targeted interventions.
Main Methods:
- A diverse sample of 205 young adults completed an anonymous online survey.
- The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) assessed IGD severity.
- Measures included gaming type, alexithymia, anxiety, maladaptive personality traits, and interpersonal problems.
Main Results:
- The IGDS9-SF differentiated normal from at-risk gamers, with the latter exhibiting greater psychopathology.
- Overall IGD severity correlated significantly with increased alexithymia, anxiety, maladaptive personality traits, and interpersonal problems.
- Disinhibition (impulsivity, poor self-control) and socially avoidant interpersonal problems were the strongest unique predictors of IGD severity.
Conclusions:
- IGD is associated with emotional, personality, and interpersonal factors.
- Interventions targeting impulsivity, self-control, and interpersonal functioning are recommended for IGD treatment.
- Findings inform clinical assessment and treatment strategies for individuals with IGD.
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