An Overview of Problematic Gaming

Despite the growth in published studies, there is a lack of consensus regarding whether problematic gaming exists and whether it constitutes an "addiction." Ultimately, the Substance Use Disorder Work Group recommended that the DSM-5 include a subtype of problematic Internet use (i.e., Internet gaming disorder [IGD]) in Section III ("Emerging Measures and Models") as an area that required further research before possible inclusion in future editions of the manual. This chapter will use the term "problematic gaming" as the umbrella term to describe the phenomenon of problematic video game use. It has both online and offline manifestations. The chapter briefly examines a number of key areas in the study of problematic gaming, including (1) history of problematic gaming research, (2) offline versus online problematic gaming, (3) prevalence of problematic gaming, (4) factors associated with problematic gaming, and (5) the treatment of problematic gaming.