Item Response Theory Analysis of the Recoded Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF)
Item Response Theory Analysis of the Recoded Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF)
Rapson Gomez 0 1 2 3 4 5
Vasileios Stavropoulos 0 1 2 3 4 5
Charlotte Beard 0 1 2 3 4 5
Halley M. Pontes 0 1 2 3 4 5
0 Faculty of Psychology, School of Philosophy University of Athens Panepistimiopoli , Ilissia, Athens 157 84 , Greece
1 Federation University, University Dr, Mount Helen , Ballarat, VIC 3350 , Australia
2 Halley M. Pontes
3 Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University , 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham NG1 4FQ , UK
4 Palo Alto University , 1791 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto 94304 CA , USA
5 Cairnmillar Institute , 391/393 Tooronga Rd, Hawthorn East, VIC 3123 , Australia
Based on the nine criteria for Internet gaming disorder (IGD) in DSM-5, the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale 9-Short Form (IGDS9-SF; Pontes and Griffiths 2015) is the most widely used questionnaire for assessing IGD. The present study examined support for the unidimensional factor structure of the instrument, with a group of 868 adolescent and adult gamers from the USA, with criteria recoded as present or absent. The two-parameter logistic model (2PLM) was used to examine the item response theory properties of the criteria included in the measure. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor model. The 2PLM analysis indicated that all the criteria were strong discriminators of high and low latent IGD. Furthermore, the items measured more of the GAD dimension and with more precision from around +2 SD from the mean trait level. The implications of the findings for interpreting the IGDS9-SF scores for clinical practice are discussed. The latest fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association [APA] (American Psychiatric Association 2013) includes Internet gaming disorder (IGD) as a condition worthy of future study. According to the DSM-5, IGD comprises a behavioral pattern encompassing persistent and recurrent use of
IGDS9-SF; One-factor model; Item response theory; 2PLM
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the Internet to engage in online and offline games, leading to significant impairment or distress
over a period of 12 months. The diagnosis of IGD requires the endorsement of at least five of
the following nine criteria: preoccupation with Internet games (criterion 1); withdrawal
behaviors when Internet gaming is taken away (criterion 2); tolerance, resulting in the need
to spend increasing amounts of time engaged in Internet games (criterion 3); unsuccessful
attempts to control participation in Internet games (criterion 4); loss of interest in previous
hobbies and entertainment as a result of, and with the exception of, Internet games (criterion
5); continued excessive use of Internet games despite knowledge of psychosocial problems
(criterion 6); deceiving family members, therapists, or others regarding the amount of Internet
gaming (criterion 7); use of Internet games to escape or relieve negative moods (criterion 8);
and jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job, or education or career opportunity
because of participation in Internet games (criterion 9). The DSM-5 has, however, indicated that
more empirical evidence is needed to investigate the suitability and clinical utility of these nine
diagnostic criteria in case IGD is to be fully recognized as a bona fide addiction that is featured in
the next revisions of the DSM. Accordingly, the aim of the current study was to use item
response theory (IRT) procedures to examine the psychometric properties of these criteria, as
provided in the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale 9-Short Form
(IGDS9-SF; Pontes and Griffiths
2015)
, in a group of adolescent and adult gamers from the United States of America (USA).
Since the publication of DSM-5, a number of self-rating scales comprising the nine IGD
criteria have been developed. Of these, as noted by Wu et al. (2017a), the most widely used
questionnaire is the IGDS9-SF
(Pontes and Griffiths 2015)
. Based on the criteria for IGD in
the DSM-5, the IGDS9-SF was developed to assess the severity of the nine IGD criteria for
both online and/or offline detrimental effects of gaming activities occurring over the previous
12-month period. It is suitable for children and adults, and is claimed to be efficient for
largescale surveys
(Wu et al. 2017b)
. In terms of assessment of disordered gaming criteria, the
IGDS9-SF and DSM-5 IGD criteria are highly comparable. Each item of the IGDS9-SF is
rated on a five-point scale (Bnever,^ scored 1; Brarely,^ scored 2, Bsometimes,^ scored 3;
Boften,^ scored 4; and Bvery often,^ scored 5). In terms of cutoff diagnostic threshold for the
IGDS9-SF,
Pontes and Griffiths (2016)
(see also Pontes et al. 2016)
have suggested that the
endorsement of five or more of the nine criteria in the IGDS9-SF, on the basis of answering
Bvery often,^ could be considered as the basis for clinical diagnosis, thus mirroring the
diagnostic framework suggest (...truncated)