Internet Gaming Disorders Amongst Medical Undergraduates in Tamil Nadu, India - A Cross Sectional Study

Authors

Rejee Sneha Ebanezer, Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of medical SciencesFollow
Sumedha K, Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical SciencesFollow
Murugan V, Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical SciencesFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1398-8226

Corresponding Author

Sumedha.K

sumedhakesavan@gmail.com

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) or internet-related gaming addictions are characterized by severely impaired control over gaming affecting routine activities, followed by several psychological, physical and social issues. Budding medical undergraduates who are future health professionals might have positive effects on their studies and career goals when saved from internet gaming addictions. Hence, this study aimed to identify the proportion of medical undergraduate students and interns with internet gaming disorders studying in a private medical college and tertiary care hospital.

Setting: A tertiary care Hospital and Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India

Study design: Cross – sectional study.

Participants: Medical undergraduate students and interns.

Sample size: 523 study participants consisting of all medical undergraduates enrolled during the study period.

Study variables: Demographic characteristics and data regarding IGD.

Statistical analysis: Analyzed by frequencies, percentages, chi – square test and one – way ANOVA test.

Results: 2.29% (12 out of 523) of medical undergraduates and interns were screened positive for IGD (who had a score of 71 and higher as per the IGD – 20 test). Out of six descriptive factors of behavioural addiction, the conflict factor, which denotes the aggressive and non-assertive behaviour among gamers, is found to be at a higher level with a mean of 17.333.

Conclusion: This study has identified the prevalence of IGD among the study participants to some extent. Over and above, further investigations are required to discover the risk factors for and other complications of IGD among medical undergraduates.

Publication Date

2024

Publisher

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no competing interests associated with the material presented in this paper.

Keywords

Internet, Gaming disorder, Addiction, Medical undergraduates.

Word Count

3423

Recommended Citation

Ebanezer RS, K S, V M. Internet Gaming Disorders Amongst Medical Undergraduates in Tamil Nadu, India - A Cross Sectional Study. Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024; 7(2): -. doi: https://doi.org/10.55691/2582-3868.1218

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