Prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in University Students and its Relationship with Depression

Abstract

Introduction: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is the emerging disorder in adolescents. The most common
motivators behind IGD is coping with stressors, escapism, control over one’s life, excitement and challenges.
Aims: The current study was done with the aims: 1) To find the prevalence of IGD in university students
2) To find the prevalence of depression among university students 3) To find the association of IGD with
depression among university students.
Settings and Design: A descriptive research design was used to collect data from a private university.
Setting of the study was food court of the selected university.
Methods and Material: A total of 91 college students were recruited from a selected university. Purposive
sampling method was used to collect the data. Internet Gaming Disorder addiction was checked with the
help of DSM-5 criteria. Depression was checked with the help of PHQ-9 questionnaire.
Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square was used to check the association between IGD and depression.
Results: Twenty-one (23%) respondents were found to have IGD. Out of 21 respondents who had IGD,
9 were having mild depression, 4 were having moderate and 3 were having severe depression. Out of 70
respondents who did not suffer from IGD, 28 showed no signs of depression, 36 had mild depression and
only 6 reported moderate depression. None of them had severe depression. The results demonstrated that
internet gaming disorder was significantly associated with depression (p<0.005).
Conclusions: Majority of the respondents having IGD had also reported co-morbid depression on PHQ-9
questionnaire. Thus depression needs to be identified and treated in clients suffering with Internet gaming
disorder.