Lack of educational impact of video game addiction in children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Introduction:

The use of video games has become widespread worldwide. Excessive use of video games is increasingly becoming a matter of concern, particularly in patients diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Currently, internet gaming disorder (IGD) is not included within the DSM-5-chapter Disorders related to substances and addictive disorders.

Methods:

This is a post-hoc descriptive naturalistic study comparing children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD with and without IGD. We used the 85% cut-off point of the test ADITEC-V for video game addiction to split our sample of ADHD patients into those with IGD (>=85%) and those without IGD (<85%).

Results:

13 (25%) out of the 51 children and adolescents with ADHD included in our study had an IGD. Patients with IGD had a first contact with internet, smartphones, and videogames at a very early age (5.67 ± 3.31, 6.33 ± 4.60, and 7.50 ± 2.61, respectively). However, only age at first contact with the internet was statistically significantly different when comparing ADHD patients with and without IGD (8.68 ± 2.71 vs. 5.67 ± 3.31, t = 3.166, df = 47, p = 0.01). Different neurodevelopmental, clinical, and neuropsychological measures converging in impulsivity is a risk factor for IGD. Unexpectedly, we found no association between IGD and poor academic achievement.

Discussion:

Future studies may include randomized controlled trials for treating IGD, the study of social adjustment as a protective factor against developing an IGD, and the role of serious and non-serious video games in the development of an IGD, among others. Additional research is clearly needed on IGD.

• Authors: Hilario Blasco-Fontecilla, Ángela Menéndez-García, Fernando Sanchez-Sanchez, Marcos Bella-Fernández
• Journal: Frontiers in psychiatry (Front Psychiatry) Vol. 14 Pg. 1136671 ( 2023) ISSN: 1664-0640 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 37151982 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2023 Blasco-Fontecilla, Menéndez-García, Sanchez-Sanchez and Bella-Fernández.