A study of university students in Lebanon found that 35.7% of people with gaming disorder also have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This percentage was 24% among those without a gaming disorder. Interestingly, the association between ADHD and video gaming disorder was stronger in women than in men. The research was published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Video gaming disorder is a mental health condition characterized by impaired control over video games, increased priority given to gaming over other activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite negative consequences. For a gaming disorder to be diagnosed, the behavior must be of sufficient severity to cause significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other significant areas. Gambling behavior must be evident for at least 12 months before a diagnosis can be made, although the required duration may be shortened if all diagnostic requirements are met and symptoms are severe.
Recent studies have sought to understand the links between gaming disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood, but can persist into adulthood, negatively impacting social interactions.
Recent studies indicate that people with ADHD are more likely to suffer from video game disorder. However, other studies have linked higher severity of gaming disorder to a range of other mental health disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression.
Study authors Nazir Hawi and Maya Samaha wanted to better explore the links between video game disorders and ADHD in Lebanon. They were particularly interested in the severity of ADHD symptoms in people with gaming disorder, whether the disorder is equally common in both sexes, and whether gaming disorder and ADHD are associated with academic performance among college students. The authors conducted an investigation.
Participants were 383 Lebanese university students recruited through university mailing lists and social media platforms in June and July 2019. Their average age was 20 years old and 74% of them were male. The survey contained assessments of gaming disorder (IGD-20) and ADHD (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale). It also asked participants for various demographic information and their grade point average (GPA).
The results showed that 4.3% of study participants met the conditions for a video gaming disorder. Ninety-three percent of these individuals were men. Among students with gaming disorder, 35.7% also met criteria for ADHD, compared to only 23.3% of students without gaming disorder. People with gaming disorder tend to spend more time gaming during their workdays than people without video game disorder. The difference was even more pronounced on weekends.
Among students without a video game disorder, women spent fewer hours gaming than men. The study authors tested a statistical model suggesting that ADHD causes gaming disorders, which leads to a lower GPA. The results indicated that such a pattern of relationships between these factors is indeed possible.
“This research study provides evidence of a significant positive relationship between GD (video gaming disorder) and ADHD symptoms, with gender-specific variations indicating a stronger correlation in females than in males. The study also reveals a negative association between these disorders and academic performance, particularly among high-achieving students, suggesting that symptoms of GD and ADHD could be potential barriers to academic success,” the researchers concluded. authors of the study.
The study highlights the links between video game disorders, ADHD and academic performance. It should be noted, however, that the study design does not allow for causal conclusions to be drawn from the results. The study was based exclusively on self-reports, leaving room for reporting bias. Furthermore, the reported share of students with ADHD in the study sample is several times higher than that typically reported in epidemiological studies.
The article titled “Relationships Between Gaming Disorder, ADHD, and Academic Performance of University Students: A Mediation Analysis” was authored by Nazir Hawi and Maya Samaha.
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