Investigating Problematic Gaming Among Current U.S. players: Exploring the Multidimensionality of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form

Abstract This article investigates the construct of internet gaming disorder among U.S. players by providing an updated validation of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) and exploring its factor structure. A total of 620 U.S. gamers completed a survey that included demographic information, game habits, IGDS9-SF, and the metacognitions of online gaming scale. The Graded Response Model was applied to IGDS9-SF results, and correlations were explored between emerging factors and time spent playing, time spent on game-related social media, and metacognitions about online gaming. Findings point to (1) a two-factor structure of the IGDS9-SF (RMSEA = .037 (90% CI [.016, .056]), SRMSR = .039, CFI = .991, and TLI = .988)—i.e., Symptom-related Internet Game Disorder (SIGD) and Impairment-related Internet Game Disorder (IIGD)—related to the distinction between core addictive symptoms and functional impairment and (2) significant positive correlations between the two factors, time spent gaming, and metacognitions about online gaming. SIGD was also positively correlated with time spent on game-related social media. This study’s implications shed light on the structure of this instrument with current U.S. players and suggest future research directions in regard to online problematic gaming and related variables.