Features and correlates of Internet Gaming Disorder in women and men who play video games: a cross-national study

Background: Internet Gaming Disorder in the DSM-5 is a provisional condition for further study. We aim to examine symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder in both males and females, including older persons, and investigate sex differences, socio-demographics and gaming characteristic correlates.   Method: Participants included 721 adults aged 18+ who played video games for 3 hours+/week in the 2022 International Gaming Study (IGS22; n=373 females; n=348 males) from Australia, Canada, USA, and UK (age range=18-94; M=46.10 [16.19]).   Results: The proportion who met the IGDT-10 cut-off in females (16.9%) was not significantly different from males (19.5%) who spent similar amounts of time playing (p=.356). Higher frequency and intensity of gameplay were positively related to IGD-positive status. Those who were not in work or study and those with plans to become professional players had significantly higher odds of being IGD-positive. These influences also did not differ by sex.  Conclusion: Both males and females presented with similar features of internet gaming disorder after adjusting for hours of video game play, and there were no sex differences in work or study status or aims to play professionally. Prevention and treatment strategies appropriate for both males and females at risk of harm from IGD are appropriate.