ADHD And Gaming Addiction: Do They Go Hand In Hand?
Studies suggest that between 3.1% and 8.1% are addicted to video games. People with ADHD may be especially vulnerable. Today's study discusses this relationship–are people with ADHD even worse off?
• Between 3.1% and 8.1% are addicted to video games, and between 5.9% and 7.1% are diagnosed with ADHD.
• ADHD and having an Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) may go hand in hand, as studies suggest.
• "Serious games" may have therapeutic benefits for people with ADHD.
• Those with ADHD play video games more to avoid the problems of everyday life. Furthermore, they showed a more general problematic use of video games, and hyperactivity.
• 68.6% of those with an ADHD diagnosis reported potentially problematic or severe use of video games.
With the rise of gaming came the rise of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). A study by the UNICEF found that 16.7% of Spanish adolescents may have an IGD, and 3.1% present symptoms of a possible addiction. Those who play games every single day show even higher numbers–37.7% and 8.1%, respectively.
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Its prevalence ranges between 5.9% and 7.1%, and includes behavior patterns such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.
To date, there are few studies that examine the prevalence of an IGD in those diagnosed with ADHD. However, studies agree that there is an association between the an IGD and ADHD.
"... some studies suggesting a bidirectional relationship, indicating greater vulnerability in children with ADHD to develop addictive behaviors in the use of video games, as well as a correlation between the severity of ADHD symptoms and excessive use of video games." [1]
At least one study has shown that a greater involvement and more time spent playing video games is considered a risk for developing ADHD symptoms. However, those findings are not conclusive, as some studies found no association. Interestingly, children with ADHD spent the most time on digital screens.
On the contrary, other studies suggest that "serous games" may have therapeutic benefits for improving ADHD symptoms. With the aim to shed some light on the relationship between ADHD and IGD, today's study analyzed data from >2.500 participants. 6.3% of them were diagnosed with ADHD.
🧠ADHD x IGD
88.6% of those diagnosed with ADHD played video games, compared to 77.7% without this diagnosis. As the researcher expected, those with ADHD showed higher scores of Use of Avoidance, meaning playing video games was more of a way to avoid the struggles and problems of everyday life. Furthermore, they showed a more general problematic use of video games, and hyperactivity.
"Accordingly, in this study, we observed that 51.6% of the participants without an ADHD diagnosis reported potentially problematic or severe use compared with 68.6% of those with an ADHD diagnosis..." [1]
🥡 The Takeaways
Apparently, people with ADHD appear to be worse off when playing (too much) video games. In the words of the researchers:
"These data seem to indicate that among adolescents who play video games, those with a recognized ADHD diagnosis present worse emotional and behavioral adjustment, and those who do not have ADHD could be defined as having more positive social behavior." [1]
Wish you all a great start to your week. Best,
Christian 🙂
