Abstract

Previous large-scale studies suggest that internet gaming disorder (IGD) among children and adolescents has become an important public concern. Minors are known to be particularly susceptible to problematic internet gaming use owing to age-related underdevelopment of cognitive control. It has been shown that precursors of addictions appear during adolescence; therefore, prevention efforts must be established targeting minors who have their first experience with addictive substances and behaviors during pubescence. Since the DSM-5 classification of IGD in 2013, studies on IGD have drastically increased in number. Thus, we performed an updated review of studies of IGD in children and adolescents to assess the clinical implications of IGD. The search included all publication years, using PubMed, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO. Across studies, the presence of IGD had a negative effect on sleep and schoolwork in minors. Additionally, family factors, including the quality of parent-child relationships, were important social factors in minors with IGD. Brain imaging studies indicate that impaired cognitive control in minors with IGD is associated with abnormal function in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. Persistent pathological online game use from childhood may aggravate abnormal brain function; therefore, preventive care and early intervention are increasingly important. Although extant research supports the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for minors with IGD, effective psychological intervention for minors with IGD is an urgent issue that requires further research. This review, which presents updated findings of IGD in minors, is expected to contribute to the development of future research and be useful in clinical practice in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry.

Sintesi

Abbiamo riassunto le caratteristiche bio-psicosociali nei bambini e adolescenti con IGD rivedendo studi precedenti pertinenti. La presenza di IGD ha un effetto negativo sul sonno e compiti scolastici nei minori. Fattori familiari, incluso la qualità della relazione genitore-figlio, sono importanti come il fattore sociale nei minori con IGD, e sia la salute mentale dei minori e dei loro genitori possono essere associati alla presenza di IGD. Dati i risultati ottenuti da una popolazione adulta, eventi domestici traumatici come l’abuso, dovrebbero essere studiati come fattori di rischio per lo sviluppo di IGD nei minori. Inoltre, molti studi sull’invecchiamento del cervello hanno indicato funzioni del controllo cognitivo alterato rispetto al funzionamento normale, nel PFC e nello striato, in minori con IGD. L’uso patologico e persistente del gioco online sin dall’infanzia potrebbe aggravare una funzione cerebrale anormale. Si sottolinea l’importanza di intervenire precocemente, in fase preventiva anche, e l’efficacia di una terapia cognitivo comportamentale nella cura di un IGD.

Bibliografia

Per la consultazione della ricerca si rimanda al sito:

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-019-0144-5