Gaming disorder in the ICD-11: the state of the game

Adverse effects on wellbeing associated to the excessive usage of video games have prompted the introduction of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) as provisional diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association [APA] in 2013, and the formal classification of Gaming Disorder (GD) by the World Health Organisation [WHO] in 2019. Despite these milestones, ongoing debate surrounds the diagnostic validity and cross-cultural applicability of these classifications. Consequently, the aims of the present review involve to (i) comparably introduce the WHO and the APA suggested criteria related to disordered gaming, whilst taking into consideration the available psychometric evidence internationally; (ii) illustrate the suggested criteria's broader strengths and weaknesses and; iii) identify areas of priority for further empirical research to contribute to the available knowledge in the field identify areas of priority for further empirical research to contribute to the available knowledge in the field, whilst concurrently synthesizing the available evidence through the lenses of the recently proposed Cyber-Developmental Framework. With the increasing prevalence of disordered gaming and screen-related addictive behaviours as significant mental health concerns globally, this review highlights the need for enhanced diagnostic precision and greater consistency in assessment methodologies across diverse community, clinical, and national populations.