Mental health predictors of Internet Gaming Disorder: a longitudinal study

We aim to evaluate whether a wide range of baseline mental disorders predict Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) one to three years later, among university students. Prospective cohort study with a follow-up period of one to three years (September 2018-June 2022) in 6 Mexican universities. Participants were first-year university students (N=2,144) free of symptoms indicative of IGD at entry (baseline). Ten mental disorders (bipolar, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, alcohol use disorder, drug use disorder, binging and/or purging, intermittent explosive disorder, psychotic experiences, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) at baseline were the main risk factors for IGD at the end of the follow-up. We used Cox regression to model the IGD incidence rate. Any mental disorder at baseline was associated with an increase in 2.33 times (1.26-4.31) the rate of IGD 1 to 3 years later. Several individual disorders were associated with rates of IGD in multiple models, with comorbid conditions diminishing most of these associations. Only major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder remained associated with a new case of IGD. Discrepant results from available longitudinal studies on the role of specific mental disorders in the development of IGD needs to be further investigated.