Instruments assessing Gaming Disorder in children and adolescents – A systematic review of psychometric properties

Background:

Gaming disorder (GD) was included in the ICD-11 by the World Health Organization as official diagnosis in the field of behavioral addictions. Valid diagnostic tools for early detection of GD are essential, particularly in the vulnerable group of children and adolescents. A large number of screening instruments have already been developed and validated for this purpose, but a systematic review on which instruments have stable psychometric criteria in younger age groups has been lacking to date.

Methods:

A systematic literature search was conducted in five databases (PsycInfo, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycArticles). Screening instruments assessing GD in children and adolescents were identified and psychometrically examined, taking into account the PRISMA criteria. Recommendations for particularly well-validated instruments were then derived on the basis of these parameters and other assessment criteria. The final search took place on January 26, 2024.

Results:

A total of 2,592 references were identified. The title/abstract screening and subsequent full-text analysis resulted in a final inclusion of 42 studies, which validated a total of 28 instruments assessing GD. These include five external ratings: GADIS-P (Gaming Disorder Scale for Parents), PIGDS (Parental Internet Gaming Disorder Scale) and GAIT-P (Gaming Addiction Identification Test – Parental Version) as parental instruments, and two clinical interviews IGDI (Internet Gaming Disorder Interview) and SCI-IGD (Structured Clinical Interview for Internet Gaming Disorder). In addition, three short versions of self-report instruments were identified: GAS-7 (Game Addiction Scale – 7 items), IGDS9-SF (Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form, 9 items), and POGQ-SF (Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire Short-Form). The vast majority of the instruments included have only been validated by one study each, including those that have considered the DSM-5 criteria, such as the DISCA (DSM‑5 IGD Symptoms Checklist for Adolescents).

Conclusions:

The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form (IGDS9-SF) had the largest evidence base due to validation frequency. Taking all criteria into account, the instruments GADIS-A (Gaming Disorder Scale for Adolescents), GADIS-P, IGD Scale (Internet Gaming Disorder Scale), IGDS (Internet Gaming Disorder Scale) and IGUESS (Internet Game Use-Elicited Symptom Screen) can be recommended in addition to IGDS9-SF. None of the validated instruments proved to be clearly superior, as strengths in one area are leveled out by weaknesses in other areas. Overall, the quality of the included studies was only moderate. GD research field would benefit from consensus about optimal GD assessment. A stronger focus on clinical samples, externally validated cut-off values and functional impairment would be desirable.