Assessment and Treatment of Internet Gaming Disorder

• Main Authors: Peter, Samuel C., Ginley, Meredith K., Pfund, Rory A.
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2020
• Subjects: video game addiction; addiction treatment; Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Cognitive Psychology
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/8967; http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s42843-020-00005-2

Among both youth and adults, video gaming is a rapidly growing recreational activity. The American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization have identified problematic video gaming behavior as a clinical concern in need of further research and have conceptualized this condition as a behavioral addiction. Empirically validated assessment tools may aid in case conceptualization, and cognitive-behavioral techniques have accrued some evidence supporting their efficacy when targeting internet gaming disorder. Clinicians should consider employing goal setting, behavior tracking, and functional analyses, and should consider increasing alternative pleasurable activities, incentivizing specific behavior changes, and integrating caregivers into treatment when working with adolescents.