Gaming Disorder and Well-Being Among Emirati College Women
Background: The present study examined Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and depressive symptom levels among a predominantly female sample of college students from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods: IGD was assessed among two successive cohorts of students at the beginning of the academic year in...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-05-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.659508/full |
| _version_ | 1818594438645022720 |
|---|---|
| author | Marina Verlinden Justin Thomas Mahra Hasan Abdulla Ahamed Almansoori Shamil Wanigaratne |
| author_facet | Marina Verlinden Justin Thomas Mahra Hasan Abdulla Ahamed Almansoori Shamil Wanigaratne |
| author_sort | Marina Verlinden |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The present study examined Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and depressive symptom levels among a predominantly female sample of college students from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods: IGD was assessed among two successive cohorts of students at the beginning of the academic year in 2016 and 2019, respectively. All participants (n = 412) completed the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short-Form (IGDS9-SF) and the WHO-5 Well-being Index (WHO-5), a tool widely used for the screening and assessment of depressive symptomatology.Results: Mean IGDS9-SF scores (15.85, SD = 6.40) were fairly similar to those observed in other nations. The prevalence of IGD was 1.45%, based on the stringent cut-off score (> = 40). Prevalence of IGD rose to 18.20% when using the less stringent cut-off (> = 21). There was an increase in the rate of IGD between 2016 and 2019, although not statistically significant. Higher IGDS9-SF scores were associated with greater depressive symptomatology; those scoring above the less stringent IGD cut-off had a greater likelihood of screening positive for depression OR = 2.28, 95% CI (1.176–4.428).Conclusions: This study provides insights about IGD among a predominantly female Arab population, finding a correlation with mood disorder symptomatology and suggesting an increase in problematic gaming over time. The results are discussed with reference to the mood repair hypothesis and the possibility of IGD being a dual disorder. The association with depressive symptoms is also discussed in light of the neurobiology of addictive behaviors and sexual dimorphism. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T11:00:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4f6ca2a45f354b5ea5147966ebdaa821 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T11:00:08Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-4f6ca2a45f354b5ea5147966ebdaa8212022-12-21T22:34:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402021-05-011210.3389/fpsyt.2021.659508659508Gaming Disorder and Well-Being Among Emirati College WomenMarina Verlinden0Justin Thomas1Mahra Hasan Abdulla Ahamed Almansoori2Shamil Wanigaratne3College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesCollege of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesCollege of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesNational Rehabilitation Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesBackground: The present study examined Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and depressive symptom levels among a predominantly female sample of college students from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods: IGD was assessed among two successive cohorts of students at the beginning of the academic year in 2016 and 2019, respectively. All participants (n = 412) completed the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short-Form (IGDS9-SF) and the WHO-5 Well-being Index (WHO-5), a tool widely used for the screening and assessment of depressive symptomatology.Results: Mean IGDS9-SF scores (15.85, SD = 6.40) were fairly similar to those observed in other nations. The prevalence of IGD was 1.45%, based on the stringent cut-off score (> = 40). Prevalence of IGD rose to 18.20% when using the less stringent cut-off (> = 21). There was an increase in the rate of IGD between 2016 and 2019, although not statistically significant. Higher IGDS9-SF scores were associated with greater depressive symptomatology; those scoring above the less stringent IGD cut-off had a greater likelihood of screening positive for depression OR = 2.28, 95% CI (1.176–4.428).Conclusions: This study provides insights about IGD among a predominantly female Arab population, finding a correlation with mood disorder symptomatology and suggesting an increase in problematic gaming over time. The results are discussed with reference to the mood repair hypothesis and the possibility of IGD being a dual disorder. The association with depressive symptoms is also discussed in light of the neurobiology of addictive behaviors and sexual dimorphism.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.659508/fullinternet gaming disorderIGDonline gamingaddictiondepressionUAE |
| spellingShingle | Marina Verlinden Justin Thomas Mahra Hasan Abdulla Ahamed Almansoori Shamil Wanigaratne Gaming Disorder and Well-Being Among Emirati College Women Frontiers in Psychiatry internet gaming disorder IGD online gaming addiction depression UAE |
| title | Gaming Disorder and Well-Being Among Emirati College Women |
| title_full | Gaming Disorder and Well-Being Among Emirati College Women |
| title_fullStr | Gaming Disorder and Well-Being Among Emirati College Women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gaming Disorder and Well-Being Among Emirati College Women |
| title_short | Gaming Disorder and Well-Being Among Emirati College Women |
| title_sort | gaming disorder and well being among emirati college women |
| topic | internet gaming disorder IGD online gaming addiction depression UAE |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.659508/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marinaverlinden gamingdisorderandwellbeingamongemiraticollegewomen AT justinthomas gamingdisorderandwellbeingamongemiraticollegewomen AT mahrahasanabdullaahamedalmansoori gamingdisorderandwellbeingamongemiraticollegewomen AT shamilwanigaratne gamingdisorderandwellbeingamongemiraticollegewomen |