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. 2021 May 20;21(1):262.
doi: 10.1186/s12888-021-03245-8.

Internet gaming disorder behaviours: a preliminary exploration of individualism and collectivism profiles

Vasileios Stavropoulos  1 , Tyler Michael John Frost  2 , Taylor Brown  2 , Peter Gill  2 , Trent Anthony Footitt  2 , Lee Kannis-Dymand  3
Affiliations

Internet gaming disorder behaviours: a preliminary exploration of individualism and collectivism profiles

Vasileios Stavropoulos et al. BMC Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) behaviours involve excessive use of Internet games to the extent that one's everyday life is compromised. It has been suggested that IGD symptoms are dependent on whether one is more individualistic or collectivistic. However, the range of potential individualism-collectivismeffects on IGD presentations remains largely unknown. The current study aims to further understanding of the role of individualistic and collectivistic tendencies in IGD, allowing us to develop more gamer centredIGD prevention and intervention strategies.

Methods: One thousand and thirty-twocommunity participants withinternet gaming experience were measured online for IGD symptom's severity using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale - Short Form (IGDS9-SF) andindividualism-collectivism behavioursvia the Individualism & Collectivism Scale (ICS). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) and T-Tests were performed in relation to their responses.

Results: Upon inspection of the LCA output, two profiles of internet gamers were identified. These includedthe Collectivism Aversivegamers (CA; 11%) and the Collectivism Neutral gamers (CN; 89%). The CA gamers displayed significantly higher IGD behaviours overall, and, were higher inpreoccupation, withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, relapse, deception, escapism/mood modification, and functional impairment compared to CN gamers. There were no differences between CA and CN gamers in loss of interest and conflicts with others.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that one's individualism-collectivism orientation can influence the presentation of IGD. Specifically, those who are less collectivistic or are less influenced by social groups willdisplay greater IGD symptoms and present a profile that requires a different intervention from gamers who are more collectivistic. Researchers and clinicians should emphasize the value of belonging in a collective and experiencing equality with others in relation to mental health and gaming patterns.

Keywords: Collectivism; Culture; Individualism; Internet Gaming Disorder Behaviours: A Preliminary Exploration of Individualism and Collectivism Profiles.; Internet gaming disorder; Latent class analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

One of the authors, Dr. Vasileios Stavropoulos, is a member of the editorial board of this journal (BMC Psychiatry). The authors declare that they have no other competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The two classes across the indicators
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Collectivism neutral and collectivism aversive profiles across the 9 IGD criteria
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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