A study of university students in Lebanon found that 35.7% of those suffering from gaming disorder also suffer from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This percentage was 24% among those without gaming disorder. Interestingly, the association between ADHD and gaming disorder was stronger in females than in males. The research was published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Gaming disorder is a mental health condition characterized by impaired control over video gaming, increased priority given to gaming over other activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite negative consequences. To be diagnosed with gaming disorder, the behavior must be of sufficient severity to result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas. The pattern of gaming behavior should be evident for at least 12 months for a diagnosis to be assigned, 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 everyday functioning. It is typically first diagnosed in childhood but can continue into adulthood, adversely impacting social interactions.
Recent studies indicate that individuals with ADHD are more likely to suffer from gaming disorder. However, other studies have linked higher severity of gaming disorder with 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 gaming disorder and ADHD in Lebanon. They were particularly interested in the severity of ADHD symptoms in individuals with gaming disorder, whether this disorder is equally frequent in both genders, and whether gaming disorder and ADHD are associated with academic performance among university students. The authors conducted a survey.
Participants were 383 Lebanese university students recruited through university mailing lists and social media platforms during June and July 2019. Their average age was 20 years, and 74% of them were male. The survey contained assessments of gaming disorder (the IGD-20) and ADHD (the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale). It also requested various demographic information from participants and their grade point average (GPA).
Results showed that 4.3% of study participants met the conditions for gaming disorder. Ninety-three percent of these individuals were male. Among students suffering from gaming disorder, 35.7% also fulfilled criteria for ADHD, compared to only 23.3% of students without gaming disorder. Individuals with gaming disorder tended to spend more time gaming during workdays compared to individuals without gaming disorder. The difference was even more pronounced during weekends.
Among students without gaming disorder, females spent fewer hours gaming than males. The study authors tested a statistical model proposing that ADHD leads to gaming disorder, which, in turn, leads to a lower GPA. Results indicated that such a model of relationships between these factors is indeed possible.
“This research study provides evidence of a significant positive relationship between GD [gaming disorder] and ADHD symptoms, with gender-specific variations indicating a stronger correlation in females than males. The study also uncovers a negative association between these disorders and academic performance, particularly in high-performing students, suggesting that GD and ADHD symptoms may be potential barriers to academic success,” the study authors concluded.
The study sheds light on the links between gaming disorder, ADHD, and academic performance. However, it should be noted that the design of the study does not allow any cause-and-effect conclusions to be drawn from the results. The study was exclusively based on self-reports, leaving room for reporting bias. Additionally, the reported share of ADHD students in the study sample is several times higher than that typically reported in epidemiological studies.
The paper, “Relationships of gaming disorder, ADHD, and academic performance in university students: A mediation analysis,” was authored by Nazir Hawi and Maya Samaha.