Cognitive profiling of internet gaming disorder: distinguishing factors between problematic, recreational, and non-gaming individuals

Excessive internet gaming can lead to the development of internet gaming disorder (IGD) in some individuals, while others who engage in regular gaming do not exhibit the disorder. This study aimed to investigate cognitive factors in individuals with internet gaming disorder compared to recreational game users (RGU) and nonusers (NU). Ninety volunteers were categorized into three groups based on diagnostic interviews and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-9. Participants completed assessments of gaming-related cognitions using the Internet Gaming Cognition Scale (IGCS), inhibitory control over gaming stimuli using a Go/NoGo task, attentional bias towards gaming stimuli using a Stroop task, and coping strategies using the Brief-COPE. Results showed that individuals with IGD differed significantly from RGU and NU groups in gaming-related cognitions, inhibitory control specifically over gaming stimuli, attentional bias towards gaming stimuli, and use of active coping strategies. There were no differences in inhibitory control or attentional bias between the groups when assessed using non-gaming stimuli, indicating these deficits are specific to gaming-related cues. There were no differences between the RGU and NU groups. The findings suggest that playing games does not inherently result in loss of control or negative consequences for everyone. Additionally, there are cognitive function differences between individuals with IGD and those who engage in healthy recreational gaming. Understanding these cognitive factors, such as the maladaptive cognitions, gaming-specific deficits in inhibitory control, and attentional bias, can inform more effective treatments and preventive interventions for IGD.