IGD and NMPDU: Associations by Student Status

The popularity of video games and prescription drug misuse throughout college campuses may promote co-occurring behavior. This cross-sectional study examined the association between internet gaming disorder (IGD), non-medical prescription drug use (NMPDU), and student status among young adults in Rhode Island. Data from N=1,022 Rhode Island young adults aged 18 to 25 (124 lifetime prescription drug misusers) was included in this study. Logistic regression models showed that with each additional unit in the gaming addiction scale (GAS), odds of NMPDU increased by 6% (OR[95%CI]=1.06 [1.02,1.10]), controlling for age, sexual and/or gender identity, race/ethnicity, and social status. The interaction between student status and GAS was significant (p=0.044), with the association much stronger among students than non-students. Targeted screening protocols and routine mental health screenings for young adults that evaluate IGD should be considered, and university initiatives that educate students about IGD and its relationship to NMPDU are necessary.