Prevalence and Risk Factors of Internet Gaming Disorder Under the COVID-19 Pandemic Among University Students in Macao

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the zero-tolerance policy implemented in Macao affected university students’ life and learning styles. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD) and analyze its risk factors among university students of Macao amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-nine university students were recruited by convenience sampling. The cross-sectional investigation was conducted using the 9-item Chinese version of the IGD Scale, the Chinese Version of the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Chinese version of the Brief Resilience Scale. Results: The prevalence was 7.4%. Compared to Non-IGD gamers, the IGD gamers were more likely to be the older, male gender, with a longer gaming history, with more game hours per day in the last month, and with a lower self-compassion score and resilience. Conclusion: The prevalence of IGD increased. Students who are the older, male gender, with more gaming time, low self-compassion, and low resilience, have a high possibility of IGD.