Author:
Vladan Starcevic Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School – Nepean, University of Sydney, Penrith, NSW, Australia

Search for other papers by Vladan Starcevic in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Open access

Background and aims

The paper “Chaos and confusion in DSM-5 diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder: Issues, concerns, and recommendations for clarity in the field” by Kuss, Griffiths, and Pontes (in press) critically examines the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and addresses the issue of whether IGD should be reconceptualized as gaming disorder, regardless of whether video games are played online or offline. This commentary provides additional critical perspectives on the concept of IGD.

Methods

The focus of this commentary is on the addiction model on which the concept of IGD is based, the nature of the DSM-5 criteria for IGD, and the inclusion of withdrawal symptoms and tolerance as the diagnostic criteria for IGD.

Results

The addiction framework on which the DSM-5 concept of IGD is based is not without problems and represents only one of multiple theoretical approaches to problematic gaming. The polythetic, non-hierarchical DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for IGD make the concept of IGD unacceptably heterogeneous. There is no support for maintaining withdrawal symptoms and tolerance as the diagnostic criteria for IGD without their substantial revision.

Conclusions

The addiction model of IGD is constraining and does not contribute to a better understanding of the various patterns of problematic gaming. The corresponding diagnostic criteria need a thorough overhaul, which should be based on a model of problematic gaming that can accommodate its disparate aspects.

Abstract

Background and aims

The paper “Chaos and confusion in DSM-5 diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder: Issues, concerns, and recommendations for clarity in the field” by Kuss, Griffiths, and Pontes (in press) critically examines the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and addresses the issue of whether IGD should be reconceptualized as gaming disorder, regardless of whether video games are played online or offline. This commentary provides additional critical perspectives on the concept of IGD.

Methods

The focus of this commentary is on the addiction model on which the concept of IGD is based, the nature of the DSM-5 criteria for IGD, and the inclusion of withdrawal symptoms and tolerance as the diagnostic criteria for IGD.

Results

The addiction framework on which the DSM-5 concept of IGD is based is not without problems and represents only one of multiple theoretical approaches to problematic gaming. The polythetic, non-hierarchical DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for IGD make the concept of IGD unacceptably heterogeneous. There is no support for maintaining withdrawal symptoms and tolerance as the diagnostic criteria for IGD without their substantial revision.

Conclusions

The addiction model of IGD is constraining and does not contribute to a better understanding of the various patterns of problematic gaming. The corresponding diagnostic criteria need a thorough overhaul, which should be based on a model of problematic gaming that can accommodate its disparate aspects.

Introduction

The paper by Kuss, Griffiths, and Pontes (in press) demonstrates numerous difficulties with the diagnostic criteria for Internet gaming disorder (IGD), introduced in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) as a condition for further study. Kuss et al. (in press) also make important comments about the implications of the ambiguous DSM-5 conceptualization of IGD as a condition that pertains to both online and offline gaming. Their paper continues a debate on the issues surrounding the concept of IGD (e.g., Griffiths et al., 2016), shows that there is little consensus on IGD, and makes suggestions about the way forward.

There are additional reasons to examine the concept of IGD, and this commentary aims to discuss further problems with it. The focus is on the addiction model on which the concept of IGD is based, the nature of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for IGD, and the inclusion of withdrawal symptoms and tolerance as the diagnostic criteria for IGD. Ultimately, the goal of this commentary is to draw attention to the additional aspects of IGD that undermine its utility and validity and offer alternatives.

Addiction as the Framework for IGD

The diagnostic criteria for IGD reflect a condition that is based on the model of addiction. All the key features of an addiction disorder have been included in the diagnostic criteria, for example, preoccupation with and loss of control over gaming, its negative consequences and even tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. However, there are reasons to question the addiction model as the conceptual framework for IGD.

First, addiction-based conceptualization of IGD is constraining because it interferes with the development and testing of the alternative conceptual frameworks for problematic gaming, such as those based on the idea that this behavior may be a consequence of maladaptive coping or a way of meeting particular needs (Kardefelt-Winther, 2014). The addiction model has also been criticized as potentially misleading and unable to explain incongruent findings (Kardefelt-Winther, in press).

Second, reasons for the persistence of problematic gaming need to be better understood, instead of implying that this occurs mainly to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The theories that invoke avoidance of withdrawal symptoms as the key factor in maintaining addictive behaviors have not been able to fully account for addiction (e.g., West, 2013). From this perspective, it is simplistic to suggest that the persistence of problematic gaming solely reflects addiction, that is, avoidance of withdrawal symptoms.

Third, addictive disorders are generally chronic and progressive, if not treated. Recent studies show that the natural course of excessive gaming is often transient or episodic, thus suggesting its low temporal stability (Konkolÿ Thege, Woodin, Hodgins, & Williams, 2015; Rothmund, Klimmt, & Gollwitzer, in press). These findings indicate that excessive or problematic gaming may appear relatively quickly in certain contexts and disappear just as quickly when the circumstances change.

Fourth, problematic gaming has been frequently and consistently associated with various psychopathology (e.g., depressive and anxiety symptoms and symptoms of social anxiety, attention deficit and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders) (Chan & Rabinowitz, 2006; Gentile, 2009; Männikkö, Billieux, & Kääriäinen, 2015; Mentzoni et al., 2011; van Rooij, Schoenmakers, Vermulst, van den Eijnden, & van de Mheen, 2011; Wei, Chen, Huang, & Bai, 2012; Yen et al., 2017). The direction of causality remains to be clarified, but in many cases problematic gaming and addictive pattern of video game use may be a consequence of other psychopathology rather than a bona fide addiction disorder.

Finally, it is important to consider the stigmatizing and misleading connotations of the term “addiction.” Using this term loosely and arbitrarily, whether implicitly or explicitly, cannot help raise awareness in a non-sensationalist way of the problematic patterns of gaming and subject these behaviors to a scientific scrutiny.

The Heterogeneity of IGD and its Diagnostic Threshold

In line with the diagnostic criteria for other disorders in the DSM-5, those for IGD are polythetic. Therefore, any combination of the five criteria for IGD can reach the diagnostic threshold, creating high levels of heterogeneity. Consequently, there are many different ways of meeting the DSM-5 criteria for IGD. Some include the symptoms suggesting an addiction disorder, such as tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, but the diagnostic criteria can also be met without the presence of these symptoms. As a result, the same diagnostic designation – IGD – refers to very different behavioral presentations, ranging from those that barely indicate a disorder to clinical manifestations of a severe form of addiction.

All diagnostic criteria for IGD have equal weight, that is, some are not considered primary or more important than others. This non-hierarchical approach is also consistent with the nature of the diagnostic criteria for most DSM-5 diagnoses. However, such an approach is problematic because of the failure to distinguish between the “core” or absolutely essential features of IGD and those that are auxiliary or more peripheral. Although making this distinction is not straightforward, there is research supporting the notion that some IGD diagnostic criteria are more valid and thus more important than others. For example, Ko et al. (2014) demonstrated that the criterion pertaining to continued excessive use of Internet games despite knowledge of problems had a diagnostic accuracy of 92.0%–100%, whereas the diagnostic accuracy of the criterion of deceiving people about the “amount” of Internet gaming was only 68.0%–70.7%.

One task for the future is to ascertain whether polythetic, non-hierarchical diagnostic criteria for IGD and the corresponding checklist approach to diagnosis can be replaced by a diagnostic system that relies on prototypes (e.g., Livesley, 1986) or “ideal types” (Schwartz & Wiggins, 1987). Such a system emphasizes characteristics that are “the best example” of the diagnostic construct, that is, the necessary, most characteristic features without which the diagnosis cannot be made. This might reduce the heterogeneity of IGD and tighten it conceptually.

Another task is to examine the diagnostic threshold for IGD. This is important because diagnostic thresholds are crucial for establishing the boundaries between psychopathological entities and between disorders and normality. As with so many diagnostic thresholds in the DSM-5 system, the one for IGD seems somewhat arbitrary, and it is not clear why the minimum of five out of nine diagnostic criteria has been chosen as the cutoff. Although there is some support for the validity of this cutoff point (Király et al., 2017; Ko et al., 2014), the diagnostic threshold for IGD needs to be further examined to address a concern that it may be too low and thus lead to overdiagnosis of IGD.

Withdrawal Symptoms and Tolerance as the Diagnostic Criteria for IGD

Kuss et al. (in press) point out the difficulties with almost every diagnostic criterion for IGD. Of these, withdrawal symptoms and tolerance deserve particular attention because of the traditional role that these symptoms have played in the conceptualization of addiction.

Recent general definitions of addiction (American Society of Addiction Medicine, 2011; Potenza, 2006) do not mention withdrawal symptoms and tolerance because these phenomena do not always occur in addiction. Therefore, it comes as a surprise that both withdrawal symptoms and tolerance have been included among the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for IGD. However, as pointed out by Kuss et al. (in press) and others (Starcevic & Aboujaoude, 2017), many researchers and experts still consider withdrawal symptoms and tolerance useful for the conceptualization of IGD. Furthermore, the diagnostic accuracy of these DSM-5 criteria for IGD was found to be fairly good, ranging from 84.6% to 90.0% (Ko et al., 2014).

Withdrawal symptoms occurring after an abrupt cessation of gaming in the context of IGD have received relatively little research attention. However, a recent systematic review of the withdrawal symptoms in IGD (Kaptsis, King, Delfabbro, & Gradisar, 2016a) noted that although current evidence is “very underdeveloped,” many studies reported no withdrawal symptoms and no study reported any physical withdrawal symptoms; the most consistently reported emotional and behavioral withdrawal symptoms were irritability and restlessness.

Using a prospective, qualitative research design, King, Kaptsis, Delfabbro, and Gradisar (2016) reported the occurrence of boredom and drive for mental stimulation during an 84-hr period after cessation of online gaming in both individuals with and without IGD; these experiences are quite different from the withdrawal symptoms – irritability, anxiety, or sadness – listed in the DSM-5 criteria for IGD. Data from the same study also demonstrated that negative affect, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress), and “withdrawal symptoms” (craving/urge, thoughts about gaming, and inability to resist gaming) decreased quickly after cessation of online gaming, with IGD individuals experiencing a particularly prominent and rapid decline in “withdrawal symptoms” (Kaptsis, King, Delfabbro, & Gradisar, 2016b). Although these data are from a pilot study in need of replication, they suggest a pattern of the rapidly decreasing, predominantly emotional symptoms and craving that occur in the aftermath of gaming cessation. It seems doubtful that such diminishing withdrawal experiences play an important role in the maintenance of problematic gaming. In contrast, strong craving for playing video games, regardless of whether or not it occurs in the context of withdrawal, may be more likely to play this role, as also suggested by other authors (e.g., Ko et al., 2014).

Tolerance in IGD has received even less attention. It has been noted, however, that the DSM-5 designation of tolerance in IGD as “the need to spend increasing amounts of time engaged in Internet games” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 795) is inadequate (King & Delfabbro, 2016; Starcevic, 2016). This description of tolerance does not stipulate the reasons for an increased engagement in gaming, with an implication that any increase in time spent gaming denotes tolerance (Starcevic, 2016). The original meaning of tolerance relates to a need to receive increasing “doses” of an activity, that is, to spend increasing amounts of time performing that activity, to experience the initial or desired level of satisfaction or excitement. However, individuals with IGD may have very different and tolerance-unrelated reasons for spending more time gaming (e.g., Billieux, Schimmenti, Khazaal, Maurage, & Heeren, 2015). Indeed, they often do so because they adhere to an increasingly demanding or complex schedule of gaming to obtain rewards that are novel or more valued (King & Delfabbro, 2016), but are often uncertain and do not necessarily result in a sense of satisfaction or excitement.

The role of emotional withdrawal symptoms and increased amounts of time spent playing in IGD requires further study. Thus far, there is no evidence that problematic gaming persists as a consequence of an effort to avoid the unpleasant emotional withdrawal symptoms. Similarly, these symptoms were not demonstrated to be important in maintaining pathological gambling (Orford, Morison, & Somers, 1996). Understanding the factors that play a vital role in maintaining problematic gaming remains a challenge; some of these factors may be unique to particular persons, whereas others may be shared among individuals with problematic gaming. Perhaps some of the latter may be proposed as the diagnostic criteria. They may include potentially specific cognitive and behavioral features of problematic gaming, such as overvaluation of gaming rewards, activities and identities, maladaptive and inflexible rules about gaming behavior, excessive reliance on gaming to meet self-esteem needs, and gaming as a way of gaining social acceptance (King & Delfabbro, 2014).

Conclusions

This article has focused on several problematic aspects of IGD in DSM-5, such as the conceptualization of IGD as an addiction disorder, the heterogeneity of IGD and its relatively arbitrary diagnostic threshold, and the controversies surrounding the inclusion of withdrawal symptoms and tolerance among the diagnostic criteria for IGD. Further research into the patterns of problematic online gaming should not be constrained by these limitations of the DSM-5 concept of IGD. This concept should only be regarded as a hypothesis that needs to be tested and compared with the alternatives. It is the responsibility of the research community to come up with such alternatives. Specifically, there is a need to develop a testable concept of problematic gaming that does not espouse the addiction model as the only correct theoretical framework and that acknowledges a variety of motivations for engagement in problematic gaming; such a concept should avoid a checklist approach to diagnosis and include potentially specific cognitive, behavioral, and emotional features of problematic gaming. Finally, if emotional withdrawal symptoms and tolerance-like features are to be retained as the diagnostic criteria, they would need to be substantially revised.

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2011). Definition of addiction. Retrieved from http://www.asam.org/for-the-public/definition-of-addiction

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Billieux, J. , Schimmenti, A. , Khazaal, Y. , Maurage, P. , & Heeren, A. (2015). Are we overpathologizing everyday life? A tenable blueprint for behavioral addiction research. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 4(3), 119123. doi:10.1556/2006.4.2015.009

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Chan, P. A. , & Rabinowitz, T. (2006). A cross-sectional analysis of video games and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adolescents. Annals of General Psychiatry, 5, 16. doi:10.1186/1744-859X-5-16

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gentile, D. (2009). Pathological video-game use among youth ages 8 to 18: A national study. Psychological Science, 20(5), 594602. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02340.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Griffiths, M. D. , van Rooij, A. J. , Kardefelt-Winther, D. , Starcevic, V. , Király, O. , Pallesen, S. , Müller, K. , Dreier, M. , Carras, M. , Prause, N. , King, D. L. , Aboujaoude, E. , Kuss, D. J. , Pontes, H. M. , Fernandez, O. L. , Nagygyorgy, K. , Achab, S. , Billieux, J. , Quandt, T. , Carbonell, X. , Ferguson, C. J. , Hoff, R. A. , Derevensky, J. , Haagsma, M. C. , Delfabbro, P. , Coulson, M. , Hussain, Z. , & Demetrovics, Z. (2016). Working towards an international consensus on criteria for assessing Internet Gaming Disorder: A critical commentary on Petry et al. (2014). Addiction, 111(1), 167175. doi:10.1111/add.13057

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kaptsis, D. , King, D. L. , Delfabbro, P. H. , & Gradisar, M. (2016a). Withdrawal symptoms in Internet gaming disorder: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 43, 5866. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2015.11.006

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kaptsis, D. , King, D. L. , Delfabbro, P. H. , & Gradisar, M. (2016b). Trajectories of abstinence-induced Internet gaming withdrawal symptoms: A prospective pilot study. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 4, 2430. doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2016.06.002

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kardefelt-Winther, D. (2014). A conceptual and methodological critique of Internet addiction research: Towards a model of compensatory Internet use. Computers in Human Behavior, 31, 351354. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2013.10.059

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kardefelt-Winther, D. (in press). Conceptualizing Internet use disorders: Addiction or coping process? Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. doi:10.1111/pcn.12413

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • King, D. L. , & Delfabbro, P. H. (2014). The cognitive psychology of Internet gaming disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 34(4), 298308. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.03.006

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • King, D. L. , & Delfabbro, P. H. (2016). Defining tolerance in Internet Gaming Disorder: Isn’t it time? Addiction, 111(11), 20642065. doi:10.1111/add.13448

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • King, D. L. , Kaptsis, D. , Delfabbro, P. H. , & Gradisar, M. (2016). Craving for Internet games? Withdrawal symptoms from an 84-h abstinence from Massively Multiplayer Online gaming. Computers in Human Behavior, 62, 488494. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2016.04.020

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Király, O. , Sleczka, P. , Pontes, H. M. , Urbán, R. , Griffiths, M. D. , & Demetrovics, Z. (2017). Validation of the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10) and evaluation of the nine DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder criteria. Addictive Behaviors, 64, 253260. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.11.005

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ko, C.-H. , Yen, J.-Y. , Chen, S.-H. , Wang, P.-W. , Chen, C.-S. , & Yen, C. F. (2014). Evaluation of the diagnostic criteria of Internet gaming disorder in the DSM-5 among young adults in Taiwan. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 53, 103110. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.02.008

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Konkolÿ Thege, B. K. , Woodin, E. M. , Hodgins, D. C. , & Williams, R. J. (2015). Natural course of behavioral addictions: A 5-year longitudinal study. BMC Psychiatry, 15, 4. doi:10.1186/s12888-015-0383-3

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kuss, D. J. , Griffiths, M. D. , & Pontes, H. M. (in press). Chaos and confusion in DSM-5 diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder: Issues, concerns, and recommendations for clarity in the field. Journal of Behavioral Addictions. doi:10.1556/2006.5.2016.062

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Livesley, W. J. (1986). Trait and behavioral prototypes of personality disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 143(6), 728732. doi:10.1176/ajp.143.6.728

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Männikkö, N. , Billieux, J. , & Kääriäinen, M. (2015). Problematic digital gaming behaviour and its relation to the psychological, social and physical health of Finnish adolescents and young adults. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 4(4), 281288. doi:10.1556/2006.4.2015.040

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Mentzoni, R. A. , Brunborg, G. S. , Molde, H. , Myrseth, H. , Skouverøe, K. J. M. , Hetland, J. , & Pallesen, S. (2011). Problematic video game use: Estimated prevalence and associations with mental and physical health. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(10), 591596. doi:10.1089/cyber.2010.0260

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Orford, J. , Morison, V. , & Somers, M. (1996). Drinking and gambling: A comparison with implications for theories of addiction. Drug and Alcohol Review, 15(1), 4756. doi:10.1080/09595239600185661

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Potenza, M. N. (2006). Should addictive disorders include non-substance-related conditions? Addiction, 101(Suppl 1), 142151. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2006.01591.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Rothmund, T. , Klimmt, C. , & Gollwitzer, M. (in press). Low temporal stability of excessive video game use in German adolescents. Journal of Media Psychology: Theories, Methods, and Applications. doi:10.1027/1864-1105/a000177

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Schwartz, M. A. , & Wiggins, O. P. (1987). Diagnosis and ideal types: A contribution to psychiatric classification. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 28(4), 277291. doi:10.1016/0010-440X(87)90064-2

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Starcevic, V. (2016). Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms may not be helpful to enhance understanding of behavioural addictions. Addiction, 111(7), 13071308. doi:10.1111/add.13381

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Starcevic, V. , & Aboujaoude, E. (2017). Internet addiction: Reappraisal of an increasingly inadequate concept. CNS Spectrums, 22(1), 713. doi:10.1017/S1092852915000863

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • van Rooij, A. J. , Schoenmakers, T. M. , Vermulst, A. A. , van den Eijnden, R. J. J. M. , & van de Mheen, D. (2011). Online video game addiction: Identification of addicted adolescent gamers. Addiction, 106(1), 205212. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03104.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wei, H. T. , Chen, M. H. , Huang, P. C. , & Bai, Y. M. (2012). The association between online gaming, social phobia, and depression: An Internet survey. BMC Psychiatry, 12, 92. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-12-92

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • West, R. (2013). Models of addiction. Lisbon, Portugal: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

  • Yen, J.-Y. , Liu, T.-L. , Wang, P.-W. , Chen, C.-S. , Yen, C.-F. , & Ko, C.-H. (2017). Association between Internet gaming disorder and adult attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and their correlates: Impulsivity and hostility. Addictive Behaviors, 64, 308313. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.04.024

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2011). Definition of addiction. Retrieved from http://www.asam.org/for-the-public/definition-of-addiction

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Billieux, J. , Schimmenti, A. , Khazaal, Y. , Maurage, P. , & Heeren, A. (2015). Are we overpathologizing everyday life? A tenable blueprint for behavioral addiction research. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 4(3), 119123. doi:10.1556/2006.4.2015.009

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Chan, P. A. , & Rabinowitz, T. (2006). A cross-sectional analysis of video games and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adolescents. Annals of General Psychiatry, 5, 16. doi:10.1186/1744-859X-5-16

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gentile, D. (2009). Pathological video-game use among youth ages 8 to 18: A national study. Psychological Science, 20(5), 594602. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02340.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Griffiths, M. D. , van Rooij, A. J. , Kardefelt-Winther, D. , Starcevic, V. , Király, O. , Pallesen, S. , Müller, K. , Dreier, M. , Carras, M. , Prause, N. , King, D. L. , Aboujaoude, E. , Kuss, D. J. , Pontes, H. M. , Fernandez, O. L. , Nagygyorgy, K. , Achab, S. , Billieux, J. , Quandt, T. , Carbonell, X. , Ferguson, C. J. , Hoff, R. A. , Derevensky, J. , Haagsma, M. C. , Delfabbro, P. , Coulson, M. , Hussain, Z. , & Demetrovics, Z. (2016). Working towards an international consensus on criteria for assessing Internet Gaming Disorder: A critical commentary on Petry et al. (2014). Addiction, 111(1), 167175. doi:10.1111/add.13057

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kaptsis, D. , King, D. L. , Delfabbro, P. H. , & Gradisar, M. (2016a). Withdrawal symptoms in Internet gaming disorder: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 43, 5866. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2015.11.006

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kaptsis, D. , King, D. L. , Delfabbro, P. H. , & Gradisar, M. (2016b). Trajectories of abstinence-induced Internet gaming withdrawal symptoms: A prospective pilot study. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 4, 2430. doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2016.06.002

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kardefelt-Winther, D. (2014). A conceptual and methodological critique of Internet addiction research: Towards a model of compensatory Internet use. Computers in Human Behavior, 31, 351354. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2013.10.059

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kardefelt-Winther, D. (in press). Conceptualizing Internet use disorders: Addiction or coping process? Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. doi:10.1111/pcn.12413

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • King, D. L. , & Delfabbro, P. H. (2014). The cognitive psychology of Internet gaming disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 34(4), 298308. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.03.006

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • King, D. L. , & Delfabbro, P. H. (2016). Defining tolerance in Internet Gaming Disorder: Isn’t it time? Addiction, 111(11), 20642065. doi:10.1111/add.13448

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • King, D. L. , Kaptsis, D. , Delfabbro, P. H. , & Gradisar, M. (2016). Craving for Internet games? Withdrawal symptoms from an 84-h abstinence from Massively Multiplayer Online gaming. Computers in Human Behavior, 62, 488494. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2016.04.020

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Király, O. , Sleczka, P. , Pontes, H. M. , Urbán, R. , Griffiths, M. D. , & Demetrovics, Z. (2017). Validation of the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10) and evaluation of the nine DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder criteria. Addictive Behaviors, 64, 253260. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.11.005

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ko, C.-H. , Yen, J.-Y. , Chen, S.-H. , Wang, P.-W. , Chen, C.-S. , & Yen, C. F. (2014). Evaluation of the diagnostic criteria of Internet gaming disorder in the DSM-5 among young adults in Taiwan. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 53, 103110. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.02.008

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Konkolÿ Thege, B. K. , Woodin, E. M. , Hodgins, D. C. , & Williams, R. J. (2015). Natural course of behavioral addictions: A 5-year longitudinal study. BMC Psychiatry, 15, 4. doi:10.1186/s12888-015-0383-3

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kuss, D. J. , Griffiths, M. D. , & Pontes, H. M. (in press). Chaos and confusion in DSM-5 diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder: Issues, concerns, and recommendations for clarity in the field. Journal of Behavioral Addictions. doi:10.1556/2006.5.2016.062

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Livesley, W. J. (1986). Trait and behavioral prototypes of personality disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 143(6), 728732. doi:10.1176/ajp.143.6.728

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Männikkö, N. , Billieux, J. , & Kääriäinen, M. (2015). Problematic digital gaming behaviour and its relation to the psychological, social and physical health of Finnish adolescents and young adults. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 4(4), 281288. doi:10.1556/2006.4.2015.040

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Mentzoni, R. A. , Brunborg, G. S. , Molde, H. , Myrseth, H. , Skouverøe, K. J. M. , Hetland, J. , & Pallesen, S. (2011). Problematic video game use: Estimated prevalence and associations with mental and physical health. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(10), 591596. doi:10.1089/cyber.2010.0260

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Orford, J. , Morison, V. , & Somers, M. (1996). Drinking and gambling: A comparison with implications for theories of addiction. Drug and Alcohol Review, 15(1), 4756. doi:10.1080/09595239600185661

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Potenza, M. N. (2006). Should addictive disorders include non-substance-related conditions? Addiction, 101(Suppl 1), 142151. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2006.01591.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Rothmund, T. , Klimmt, C. , & Gollwitzer, M. (in press). Low temporal stability of excessive video game use in German adolescents. Journal of Media Psychology: Theories, Methods, and Applications. doi:10.1027/1864-1105/a000177

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Schwartz, M. A. , & Wiggins, O. P. (1987). Diagnosis and ideal types: A contribution to psychiatric classification. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 28(4), 277291. doi:10.1016/0010-440X(87)90064-2

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Starcevic, V. (2016). Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms may not be helpful to enhance understanding of behavioural addictions. Addiction, 111(7), 13071308. doi:10.1111/add.13381

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Starcevic, V. , & Aboujaoude, E. (2017). Internet addiction: Reappraisal of an increasingly inadequate concept. CNS Spectrums, 22(1), 713. doi:10.1017/S1092852915000863

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • van Rooij, A. J. , Schoenmakers, T. M. , Vermulst, A. A. , van den Eijnden, R. J. J. M. , & van de Mheen, D. (2011). Online video game addiction: Identification of addicted adolescent gamers. Addiction, 106(1), 205212. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03104.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wei, H. T. , Chen, M. H. , Huang, P. C. , & Bai, Y. M. (2012). The association between online gaming, social phobia, and depression: An Internet survey. BMC Psychiatry, 12, 92. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-12-92

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • West, R. (2013). Models of addiction. Lisbon, Portugal: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

  • Yen, J.-Y. , Liu, T.-L. , Wang, P.-W. , Chen, C.-S. , Yen, C.-F. , & Ko, C.-H. (2017). Association between Internet gaming disorder and adult attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and their correlates: Impulsivity and hostility. Addictive Behaviors, 64, 308313. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.04.024

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Collapse
  • Expand
The author instruction is available in PDF.
Please, download the file from HERE

Dr. Zsolt Demetrovics
Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University
Address: Izabella u. 46. H-1064 Budapest, Hungary
Phone: +36-1-461-2681
E-mail: jba@ppk.elte.hu

Indexing and Abstracting Services:

  • Web of Science [Science Citation Index Expanded (also known as SciSearch®)
  • Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition
  • Social Sciences Citation Index®
  • Journal Citation Reports/ Social Sciences Edition
  • Current Contents®/Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • EBSCO
  • GoogleScholar
  • PsycINFO
  • PubMed Central
  • SCOPUS
  • Medline
  • CABI
  • CABELLS Journalytics

2022  
Web of Science  
Total Cites
WoS
5713
Journal Impact Factor 7.8
Rank by Impact Factor

Psychiatry (SCIE) 18/155
Psychiatry (SSCI) 13/144

Impact Factor
without
Journal Self Cites
7.2
5 Year
Impact Factor
8.9
Journal Citation Indicator 1.42
Rank by Journal Citation Indicator

Psychiatry 35/264

Scimago  
Scimago
H-index
69
Scimago
Journal Rank
1.918
Scimago Quartile Score Clinical Psychology Q1
Medicine (miscellaneous) Q1
Psychiatry and Mental Health Q1
Scopus  
Scopus
Cite Score
11.1
Scopus
Cite Score Rank
Clinical Psychology 10/292 (96th PCTL)
Psychiatry and Mental Health 30/531 (94th PCTL)
Medicine (miscellaneous) 25/309 (92th PCTL)
Scopus
SNIP
1.966

 

 
2021  
Web of Science  
Total Cites
WoS
5223
Journal Impact Factor 7,772
Rank by Impact Factor Psychiatry SCIE 26/155
Psychiatry SSCI 19/142
Impact Factor
without
Journal Self Cites
7,130
5 Year
Impact Factor
9,026
Journal Citation Indicator 1,39
Rank by Journal Citation Indicator

Psychiatry 34/257

Scimago  
Scimago
H-index
56
Scimago
Journal Rank
1,951
Scimago Quartile Score Clinical Psychology (Q1)
Medicine (miscellaneous) (Q1)
Psychiatry and Mental Health (Q1)
Scopus  
Scopus
Cite Score
11,5
Scopus
CIte Score Rank
Clinical Psychology 5/292 (D1)
Psychiatry and Mental Health 20/529 (D1)
Medicine (miscellaneous) 17/276 (D1)
Scopus
SNIP
2,184

2020  
Total Cites 4024
WoS
Journal
Impact Factor
6,756
Rank by Psychiatry (SSCI) 12/143 (Q1)
Impact Factor Psychiatry 19/156 (Q1)
Impact Factor 6,052
without
Journal Self Cites
5 Year 8,735
Impact Factor
Journal  1,48
Citation Indicator  
Rank by Journal  Psychiatry 24/250 (Q1)
Citation Indicator   
Citable 86
Items
Total 74
Articles
Total 12
Reviews
Scimago 47
H-index
Scimago 2,265
Journal Rank
Scimago Clinical Psychology Q1
Quartile Score Psychiatry and Mental Health Q1
  Medicine (miscellaneous) Q1
Scopus 3593/367=9,8
Scite Score  
Scopus Clinical Psychology 7/283 (Q1)
Scite Score Rank Psychiatry and Mental Health 22/502 (Q1)
Scopus 2,026
SNIP  
Days from  38
submission  
to 1st decision  
Days from  37
acceptance  
to publication  
Acceptance 31%
Rate  

2019  
Total Cites
WoS
2 184
Impact Factor 5,143
Impact Factor
without
Journal Self Cites
4,346
5 Year
Impact Factor
5,758
Immediacy
Index
0,587
Citable
Items
75
Total
Articles
67
Total
Reviews
8
Cited
Half-Life
3,3
Citing
Half-Life
6,8
Eigenfactor
Score
0,00597
Article Influence
Score
1,447
% Articles
in
Citable Items
89,33
Normalized
Eigenfactor
0,7294
Average
IF
Percentile
87,923
Scimago
H-index
37
Scimago
Journal Rank
1,767
Scopus
Scite Score
2540/376=6,8
Scopus
Scite Score Rank
Cllinical Psychology 16/275 (Q1)
Medicine (miscellenous) 31/219 (Q1)
Psychiatry and Mental Health 47/506 (Q1)
Scopus
SNIP
1,441
Acceptance
Rate
32%

 

Journal of Behavioral Addictions
Publication Model Gold Open Access
Submission Fee none
Article Processing Charge 990 EUR/article for articles submitted after 30 April 2023 (850 EUR for articles submitted prior to this date)
Regional discounts on country of the funding agency World Bank Lower-middle-income economies: 50%
World Bank Low-income economies: 100%
Further Discounts Corresponding authors, affiliated to an EISZ member institution subscribing to the journal package of Akadémiai Kiadó: 100%.
Subscription Information Gold Open Access

Journal of Behavioral Addictions
Language English
Size A4
Year of
Foundation
2011
Volumes
per Year
1
Issues
per Year
4
Founder Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem
Founder's
Address
H-1053 Budapest, Hungary Egyetem tér 1-3.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Publisher's
Address
H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Responsible
Publisher
Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 2062-5871 (Print)
ISSN 2063-5303 (Online)

Senior editors

Editor(s)-in-Chief: Zsolt DEMETROVICS

Assistant Editor(s): Csilla ÁGOSTON

Associate Editors

  • Stephanie ANTONS (Universitat Duisburg-Essen, Germany)
  • Joel BILLIEUX (University of Lausanne, Switzerland)
  • Beáta BŐTHE (University of Montreal, Canada)
  • Matthias BRAND (University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany)
  • Ruth J. van HOLST (Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands)
  • Daniel KING (Flinders University, Australia)
  • Gyöngyi KÖKÖNYEI (ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)
  • Ludwig KRAUS (IFT Institute for Therapy Research, Germany)
  • Marc N. POTENZA (Yale University, USA)
  • Hans-Jurgen RUMPF (University of Lübeck, Germany)

Editorial Board

  • Max W. ABBOTT (Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand)
  • Elias N. ABOUJAOUDE (Stanford University School of Medicine, USA)
  • Hojjat ADELI (Ohio State University, USA)
  • Alex BALDACCHINO (University of Dundee, United Kingdom)
  • Alex BLASZCZYNSKI (University of Sidney, Australia)
  • Judit BALÁZS (ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)
  • Kenneth BLUM (University of Florida, USA)
  • Henrietta BOWDEN-JONES (Imperial College, United Kingdom)
  • Wim VAN DEN BRINK (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
  • Gerhard BÜHRINGER (Technische Universität Dresden, Germany)
  • Sam-Wook CHOI (Eulji University, Republic of Korea)
  • Damiaan DENYS (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
  • Jeffrey L. DEREVENSKY (McGill University, Canada)
  • Naomi FINEBERG (University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom)
  • Marie GRALL-BRONNEC (University Hospital of Nantes, France)
  • Jon E. GRANT (University of Minnesota, USA)
  • Mark GRIFFITHS (Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom)
  • Anneke GOUDRIAAN (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
  • Heather HAUSENBLAS (Jacksonville University, USA)
  • Tobias HAYER (University of Bremen, Germany)
  • Susumu HIGUCHI (National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Japan)
  • David HODGINS (University of Calgary, Canada)
  • Eric HOLLANDER (Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA)
  • Jaeseung JEONG (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Republic of Korea)
  • Yasser KHAZAAL (Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland)
  • Orsolya KIRÁLY (Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)
  • Emmanuel KUNTSCHE (La Trobe University, Australia)
  • Hae Kook LEE (The Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea)
  • Michel LEJOXEUX (Paris University, France)
  • Anikó MARÁZ (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany)
  • Giovanni MARTINOTTI (‘Gabriele d’Annunzio’ University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy)
  • Astrid MÜLLER  (Hannover Medical School, Germany)
  • Frederick GERARD MOELLER (University of Texas, USA)
  • Daniel Thor OLASON (University of Iceland, Iceland)
  • Nancy PETRY (University of Connecticut, USA)
  • Bettina PIKÓ (University of Szeged, Hungary)
  • Afarin RAHIMI-MOVAGHAR (Teheran University of Medical Sciences, Iran)
  • József RÁCZ (Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary)
  • Rory C. REID (University of California Los Angeles, USA)
  • Marcantanio M. SPADA (London South Bank University, United Kingdom)
  • Daniel SPRITZER (Study Group on Technological Addictions, Brazil)
  • Dan J. STEIN (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
  • Sherry H. STEWART (Dalhousie University, Canada)
  • Attila SZABÓ (Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)
  • Ferenc TÚRY (Semmelweis University, Hungary)
  • Alfred UHL (Austrian Federal Health Institute, Austria)
  • Róbert URBÁN  (ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)
  • Johan VANDERLINDEN (University Psychiatric Center K.U.Leuven, Belgium)
  • Alexander E. VOISKOUNSKY (Moscow State University, Russia)
  • Aviv M. WEINSTEIN  (Ariel University, Israel)
  • Kimberly YOUNG (Center for Internet Addiction, USA)

 

Monthly Content Usage

Abstract Views Full Text Views PDF Downloads
Jun 2023 0 15 9
Jul 2023 0 25 20
Aug 2023 0 28 11
Sep 2023 0 25 11
Oct 2023 0 31 7
Nov 2023 0 26 8
Dec 2023 0 46 23