A1 Journal article (refereed)
Risk and protective factors for (internet) gaming disorder : A meta-analysis of pre-COVID studies (2023)

Ropovik, I., Martončik, M., Babinčák, P., Baník, G., Vargová, L., & Adamkovič, M. (2023). Risk and protective factors for (internet) gaming disorder : A meta-analysis of pre-COVID studies. Addictive Behaviors, 139, Article 107590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107590

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Ropovik, Ivan; Martončik, Marcel; Babinčák, Peter; Baník, Gabriel; Vargová, Lenka; Adamkovič, Matúš

Journal or series: Addictive Behaviors

ISSN: 0306-4603

eISSN: 1873-6327

Publication year: 2023

Volume: 139

Article number: 107590

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107590

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/84686

Abstract

This large-scale meta-analysis aimed to provide the most comprehensive synthesis to date of the available evidence from the pre-COVID period on risk and protective factors for (internet) gaming disorder (as defined in the DSM-5 or ICD-11) across all studied populations. The risk/protective factors included demographic characteristics, psychological, psychopathological, social, and gaming-related factors. In total, we have included 1586 effects from 253 different studies, summarizing data from 210557 participants. Apart from estimating these predictive associations and relevant moderating effects, we implemented state-of-the-art adjustments for publication bias, psychometric artifacts, and other forms of bias arising from the publication process. Additionally, we carried out an in-depth assessment of the quality of underlying evidence by examining indications of selective reporting, statistical inconsistencies, the typical power of utilized study designs to detect theoretically relevant effects, and performed various sensitivity analyses. The available evidence suggests the existence of numerous moderately strong and highly heterogeneous risk factors (e.g., male gender, depression, impulsivity, anxiety, stress, gaming time, escape motivation, or excessive use of social networks) but only a few empirically robust protective factors (self-esteem, intelligence, life satisfaction, and education; all having markedly smaller effect sizes). We discuss the theoretical implications of our results for prominent theoretical models of gaming disorder and for the existing and future prevention strategies. The impact of various examined biasing factors on the available evidence seemed to be modest, yet we identified shortcomings in the measurement and reporting practices.

Keywords: Internet; video games; risk factors; playing (games and sports); internet addiction; addiction; problem gambling

Free keywords: gaming disorder; internet gaming disorder; video game; gaming addiction; risk factor; protective factor

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2023

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1