THE ASSOCIATION OF INTERNET GAMING DISORDER WITH SLEEP DISTURBANCES AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Objective: The study examined the relationship between Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), depression, and sleep quality among young adults in Pakistan. It specifically examined how demographic and behavioral factors such as age, gender, game type, and gaming duration influence these associations.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 350 young adults aged 18–26, including MBBS, BS Computer Science, and F.Sc students from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Participants completed a structured questionnaire comprising demographic details, the IGDS9-SF for IGD severity, the PHQ-9 for depressive symptoms, and the PSQI for sleep quality. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with chi-square tests to assess associations between variables.

Results: Results showed a significant link between IGD severity and both depression (p = 0.007) and poor sleep quality (p-values ranging from 0.000 to 0.006 across sleep components). Younger adults (age18–21) reported higher levels of depression and IGD. Game genre particularly action and strategy were significantly associated with higher IGD, more severe depressive symptoms, and poorer sleep outcomes. Gender also influenced depression levels (p = 0.005), but not IGD severity or sleep quality. Gaming duration alone did not show significant effects, which make the gaming content as a more influential factor.

Conclusion: The study underscores that IGD is not just about time spent gaming, but also about the type of games played and their psychological impact. Young adults, especially those aged 18–21, are particularly vulnerable to the negative mental health and sleep-related consequences of disordered gaming. It helps in designing increased awareness, early screening, and targeted mental health interventions focused on gaming behavior.