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A complementary perspective on the normality-disorder boundary in gaming disorder research
Annika Brandtner1,2, Matthias Brand1,2,3
11General Psychology: Cognition, Faculty of Computer Science, University of Duisburg-Essen;Duisburg, Germany.
Journal of Behavioral Addictions
|May 8, 2026
Summary
Distinguishing normative from disordered gaming requires careful assessment. While gaming time and motivations like mood regulation aren't diagnostic criteria alone, they offer crucial clinical insights for identifying problematic gaming behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- The increasing prevalence of gaming presents challenges in differentiating typical engagement from problematic gaming disorder.
- Existing diagnostic frameworks struggle to incorporate nuanced behavioral and motivational factors in gaming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the clinical relevance of gaming duration and motivations in assessing disordered gaming.
- To provide a framework for understanding how non-diagnostic features inform clinical evaluation and research.
Main Methods:
- This viewpoint synthesizes existing research and clinical observations on gaming behaviors.
- It analyzes the significance of time spent gaming and underlying motivations (e.g., mood regulation, coping, social connection).
Main Results:
- Excessive gaming duration can indicate functional impairment.
- Motivations such as mood regulation, coping, or social connection, while not inherently pathological, become clinically relevant when overused, leading to restricted behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Gaming time and motivations should not be sole diagnostic criteria but are vital indicators for clinical assessment.
- These factors aid in tailoring individualized treatment plans and understanding the progression toward problematic gaming.
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