A1 Journal article (refereed)
Ontological diversity in gaming disorder measurement : a nationally representative registered report (2023)

Karhulahti, V.-M., Vahlo, J., Martončik, M., Munukka, M., Koskimaa, R., & von Bonsdorff, M. (2023). Ontological diversity in gaming disorder measurement : a nationally representative registered report. Addiction Research and Theory, 31(3), 157-167. https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2022.2115033

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Karhulahti, Veli-Matti; Vahlo, Jukka; Martončik, Marcel; Munukka, Matti; Koskimaa, Raine; von Bonsdorff, Mikaela

Journal or series: Addiction Research and Theory

ISSN: 1606-6359

eISSN: 1476-7392

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 05/09/2022

Volume: 31

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 157-167

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2022.2115033

Research data link: https://osf.io/v4cqd/

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/85465

Additional information: Registered Report. This paper has been peer reviewed at PCI RR: https://rr.peercommunityin.org/articles/rec?id=209

Abstract

Gaming-related health problems have been researched since the 1980s with numerous different ontologies as reference systems, from self-assessed ‘game addiction’ to ‘pathological gambling’ (in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM]-IV), ‘internet gaming disorder’ (in the third section of the DSM-5) and most recently ‘gaming disorder’ (in the International Classification of Diseases [ICD]-11). Our goal was to investigate how screening instruments that derive from different ontologies differ in identifying associated problem groups. By using four central screening instruments, each representing a different ontological basis, we hypothesized differences and similarities in prevalence, overlap, and health. A nationally representative (N = 8217) sample of Finnish participants was collected. The screening instruments produced significantly different prevalence rates (from 0.4% to 6.9%) and the binomial probabilities of group overlap ranged from poor (0.419) to good (0.919). Expectedly, the problem groups had lower mental health than the general population, yet exploratory analyses implied equivalent or significantly higher physical health. We also found strong exploratory evidence for mischievous responding to complicate the measurement of gaming problems. Considering that several major differences were confirmed between the four gaming problem constructs, we recommend researchers to clearly define their construct of interest, i.e. whether they are studying the ICD-11 based official mental disorder, the DSM-5 proposed ‘internet gaming disorder’, or other gaming problems—especially in future meta-analyses.

Keywords: addiction; playing (games and sports); problem gambling; compulsive gambling; mental disorders; prevalence of a condition; medical screening

Free keywords: Behavioral addiction; prevalence; technology use

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1