Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has gained relevance in recent years as
an issue in behavioral health, especially among teenagers and younger
adults. Although engaging in gaming activities can be entertaining and
help improve cognitive functioning and foster social interaction,
overdoing it may cause various problems related to psychological,
social, and emotional wellbeing. In this paper, the main psychological
traits that are typical for people with IGD will be examined, such as
difficulties regulating emotions, alexithymia, low self-esteem, unmet
psychological needs, cognitive maladjustments, and gaming
preoccupation. Moreover, literature evidence proves that gamers with
IGD may use their activity to cope with different adverse experiences,
such as stress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, and other forms of
negative affect. In addition, attention will be paid to the high incidence
of psychiatric comorbidities, including ADHD, depression, anxiety
disorders, ASD, OCD, and substance abuse disorders. Of particular
importance will be a discussion about the differences in vulnerability
and presentation of IGD among certain subgroups based on age and
gender. The increased risk of developing IGD among teenagers is likely
due to neurodevelopmental changes that influence impulse control and
reward sensitivity, as well as the ability to regulate emotions. Males are
at increased risk of gaming addiction, whereas females demonstrate
greater difficulties with emotional regulation and have different styles of
emotional attachment and coping strategies. Finally, sociocultural
factors, such as family environment, social support and bullying, and the
expanding global gaming culture, also play an important role. The
recent studies confirm the necessity of recognizing Gaming Disorder as
a condition in the diagnostic systems of ICD-11 and DSM-5. However,
the validity of the diagnosis and incidence remain under debate. The
results show that IGD is caused by a complex of factors of biological,
psychological, and environmental nature. Therefore, the examination of
the psychological characteristics of the disorder may allow enhancing
identification, designing preventive measures, and creating personalized
interventions.

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