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. 2022 Aug 21;12(8):1110.
doi: 10.3390/brainsci12081110.

Dual Diagnosis in Adolescents with Problematic Use of Video Games: Beyond Substances

Arturo Esteve  1 , Antonio Jovani  1   2 , Ana Benito  1   3 , Abel Baquero  1   4 , Gonzalo Haro  1   2 , Francesc Rodríguez-Ruiz  1   2
Affiliations

Dual Diagnosis in Adolescents with Problematic Use of Video Games: Beyond Substances

Arturo Esteve et al. Brain Sci. .

Abstract

The technological revolution has led to the birth of new diagnoses, such as gaming disorder. When any addiction, including this one, is associated with other mental disorders, it is considered a dual diagnosis. The objectives of this current work were to estimate the prevalence of dual diagnoses in the adolescent general population while also considering the problematic use of video games and substance addiction and assessing its psychosocial risk factors. Thus, we carried out a cross-sectional study with a sample of 397 adolescents; 16.4% presented problematic videogame use and 3% presented a dual diagnosis. Male gender increased the probability of both a dual diagnosis (OR [95% CI] = 7.119 [1.132, 44.785]; p = 0.036) and problematic video game use (OR [95% CI] = 9.85 [4.08, 23.77]; p < 0.001). Regarding personality, low conscientiousness, openness, and agreeableness scores were predictors of a dual diagnosis and problematic videogame use, while emotional stability predicted a dual diagnosis (OR [95% CI] = 1.116 [1.030, 1.209]; p = 0.008). Regarding family dynamics, low affection and communication increased both the probability of a dual diagnosis (OR [95% CI] = 0.927 [0.891, 0.965]; p < 0.001) and problematic video game use (OR [95% CI] = 0.968 [0.945, 0.992]; p = 0.009). Regarding academic performance, bad school grades increased the probability of a dual diagnosis. In summary, male gender, certain personality traits, poor communication, and poor affective family dynamics should be interpreted as red flags that indicate an increased risk of a dual diagnosis in adolescents, which could require early intervention through specific detection programs.

Keywords: addiction; dual diagnosis; parenting; personality; video games.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that doctoral student Francesc Rodríguez-Ruiz was the main author of the research presented, as well as declare that they agree with the presentation of this article by said doctoral student in his doctorate using the compendium of articles. Non-doctoral authors waive the use of this article in their future PhDs. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1
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