Psychological Correlates of Problematic Gaming Behaviour in Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of...

Background: Internet Gaming Disorder has drawn more attention as a public health problem in young adults; however, there are insufficient data regarding problematic gaming behaviour (PGB). This study explored the prevalence and predictors of PGB in students from a Romanian medical university. Methods: We implemented a cross-sectional survey of 243 Romanian and international undergraduate students from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila" Bucharest. PGB was measured using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form. Personality traits, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, perceived social support and prosocial behaviour were assessed by standardised instruments. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to identify predictors of the IGDS9-SF scores. Results: Based on a cut-off score of 24 on the IGDS9-SF, 10.3% of the participants were classified as having PGB (mean IGDS9-SF = 14.99, SD = 6.03). The final regression model accounted for 28.9% of the variance in IGDS9-SF scores (R² = 0.289, p < 0.001), with gaming-related variables accounting for the largest incremental variance. Higher daily gaming time (β = 0.292, p = 0.001), competitive preferred game type (β = -0.232, p = 0.006), and lower conscientiousness (β = -0.201, p = 0.017) were significant independent predictors. IGDS9-SF scores were greater for competitive games. Perceived social support and prosocial behaviour did not show significant independent associations to PGB. Equally, depressive and anxiety symptoms improved model fit, but were not independent predictors. Conclusions: Among medical students, PGB demonstrates significant associations with gaming engagement and self-regulation, suggesting that screening and preventive approaches targeting these domains may represent relevant strategies for early identification and risk reduction.