Relationship of Internet gaming disorder symptom severity with non-suicidal self-injury among young adults

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) symptom severity with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) while controlling the effects of depression, anxiety and neuroticism among young adults. Method: The present study was conducted as a cross-sectional online self-report survey. The data were collected from 1010 volunteer Turkish university students in Ankara, persons who were in the e-mail database of a company located in Istanbul that organizes e-sports tournaments (ESL Turkey Amateur e-sport players), and Turkish gamers from gaming forums. Participants were evaluated by administering the IGD Scale-Short Form (IGDS-SF), the neuroticism dimension of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised-Abbreviated Form, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results: Age and gender did not differ between participants with NSSI (n=207, 20.5%) and those without NSSI (n=803, 79.5%). IGDS9-SF, depression, anxiety, and neuroticism scores were higher among individuals with NSSI. In logistic regression analysis, severity of IGD predicted the presence of NSSI, together with depression, anxiety, and neuroticism. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the severity of IGD in young adults is related with the presence of NSSI, together with depression, anxiety, and neuroticism. Thus, early detection and treatment of these risk factors is important for reducing self-injurious behavior in this age group.