French validation of a scale evaluating Internet Gaming Disorder: the Internet Gaming Disorder-20

Background: The study aims to validate an online video game problematic use (Internet Gaming Disorder or IGD) scale in French language: the IGD-20. IGD-20 has been elaborated considering the discussion about the etiology of the IGD, which was included in the section III of the DSM-5. The IGD-20 is composed of 20 items split in six components based on the six components model of addiction from Griffiths. Methods: A total of 166 online video game players were recruited on specialized forums, playing 21.9 hours per week. The French version of the IGD-20 was validated through a confirmatory factor analysis via structural equation modeling (SEM). Result: The French version of the IGD-20 showed a good validity and a six-factor structure (salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, conflict and relapse) (RMSEA = 0.063 [0.049; 0,077], CFI = 0.912, TLI = 0.909). Conclusion: The validation of a French scale such as the IGD-20 shows some interest for the French-speaking population, including therapists who could use this scale to investigate the IGD-20 more precisely and for people with IGD-20 who could benefit from a more refined support.