Association of gaming with international student’s mental health and well-being at Georgian universities

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is a behavioral addiction with notable psychological and social consequences. Although studied globally, limited data exist on IGD among international students in culturally distinct contexts like Georgia. This study explored the associations between IGD and psychological, behavioral, and demographic factors among international students in Georgian universities. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from November 2024 to February 2025 among international students (from India, Israel, Iraq, Pakistan, Jordan, the U.S., the U.K., etc.) studying at universities in Tbilisi, including Caucasus University, University of Georgia, Ilia State University, and David Tvildiani Medical University. Of 804 submitted questionnaires, 254 were fully complete, while the remainder contained partial data. Participants completed standardized scales measuring IGD, financial well-being, burnout, loneliness, and life satisfaction, along with questions on demographics and substance use. Available-case pairwise deletion was applied in univariate and bivariate analyses so that participants with data for the variables under examination could be retained. Statistical analyses (Pearson’s correlations, ANOVA, t-tests, eta, and chi-square) were performed using SPSS 26. Participants (absolute majority of the students were under 25 years of age) reported an average of 11.46 weekly gaming hours and a mean IGD score of 17.34. Multivariable linear regression was conducted and after Bonferroni adjustment (α = 0.017), only weekly gaming duration, burnout, and gender had statistically significant association with IGD ( p < 0.001), higher gaming duration, higher burnout scores were associated with higher IGD scores. IGD among international students in Georgia is shaped by complex interactions of psychological and demographic factors. Findings support the need for culturally tailored interventions and longitudinal studies to guide prevention strategies.