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The association between gaming disorder and impulsivity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Impulsivity, the tendency to act quickly without careful consideration, is a known risk factor and correlate of substance use and addictive disorders, including International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11 gaming disorder (GD). The aim of this meta-analytic review was to critically evaluate associations between GD symptoms and trait impulsivity and its subtypes. METHODS: = 24,818) met inclusion criteria, including being published between 2019 and 2024 (i.e. to focus on studies in ICD-11 era) and reporting data on problem gaming and trait impulsivity using psychometrically validated tools. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using reported correlations or means and standard deviations. Sources of heterogeneity, such as sample type, age, gender, region, assessment tool and impulsivity subtype, were examined using subgroup and moderator analyses. RESULTS: = 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.24, 0.34]). Significant between-study heterogeneity was detected based on study region, with larger correlations in Asian studies compared to European and Western studies. Larger correlations were reported in studies employing the YIAT and IGDS9-SF and in studies employing the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS)-11 compared to other impulsivity tools. CONCLUSION: This meta-analytic review identified a consistent moderate association between trait impulsivity and GD. The result suggests that clinical evaluation and monitoring of GD should consider the influence of impulsivity on risk and recovery. Moreover, assessing specific subtype patterns of impulsivity may inform the implementation of tailored treatment. Future research should examine the relative influence of impulsivity subtypes in the initiation, maintenance and relapse of problematic gaming behaviour.
DOI: 10.1177/00048674251388779
Authors: Jaime Nuske, Luke Nuske, Matthew W R Stevens, Joël Billieux, Paul H Delfabbro, Leanne Hides, Daniel Johnson, Daniel L King
Institutions: Flinders University, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, The University of Adelaide, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, University of Lausanne, The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,400
OpenAlex ID: W4416143140
FWCI: 3.566
Cites: 88
Cited by: 11
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