DSM-5 diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder: some ways forward in overcoming issues and concerns in the gaming studies field

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Kuss, D.J. ORCID: 0000-0001-8917-782X, Griffiths, M.D. ORCID: 0000-0001-8880-6524 and Pontes, H.M. ORCID: 0000-0001-8020-7623, 2017. DSM-5 diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder: some ways forward in overcoming issues and concerns in the gaming studies field. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 6 (2), pp. 133-141. ISSN 2062-5871

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Official URL: http://doi.org/10.1556/2006.6.2017.032

Abstract

Background and aims: The current DSM-5 diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) has led to a number of issues and concerns that we highlighted in our recent paper (Kuss, Griffiths, & Pontes, 2017). Experts in the field responded to our evaluation of these issues resulting in six commentaries. Methods: In this paper, we offer responses to the six commentaries to move the scientific field forward. All of the responses to our original paper highlighted many conceptual, theoretical, and/or methodological problems with the proposed IGD diagnosis as outlined in the DSM-5. We outline some ways forward in overcoming issues and concerns in the gaming studies field. Results: We argue that rather than stigmatizing gaming per se, the role of scientists and practitioners is to establish a clear-cut distinction between someone who may use games excessively but non-problematically and someone who is experiencing significant impairment in their daily lives as a consequence of their excessive gaming. This responsibility needs to be shared by popular media who are often quick to build a moral panic around gaming behaviors, often based on cherry-picking specific case studies and pieces of research which support their headlines. Conclusion: Researchers, practitioners, gaming developers, and the media need to work together and collaboratively to build a realistic and comprehensive understanding of gaming as a normal, enjoyable, and often beneficial sociocultural practice, which for a small minority of excessive users may be associated with the experience of addiction-related symptoms that may require professional support.

Item Type:

Journal article

Publication Title:

Journal of Behavioral Addictions

Creators:

Kuss, D.J., Griffiths, M.D. and Pontes, H.M.

Publisher:

Akadémiai Kiadó

Date:

2017

Volume:

Number: