Introjected regulation is the primary predictor of gaming disorder symptoms across WHO and APA criteria in a representative sample of polish adolescents

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Gaming disorder risk among Polish adolescents was 7.7% to 10.8%, higher in boys (8.9%–12.2%) than girls (6.5%–7.5%).
Polish translation of the Gaming Motivation Inventory showed strong psychometric properties, supporting its use in assessing adolescent gaming motivations.
Introjected regulation was the primary and strongest predictor of gaming disorder symptoms, with escape and identity motivations also strongly associated.

Sci Rep. 2026 May 4. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-49533-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study provides prevalence estimates of gaming disorder (GD) risk among Polish adolescents and validates a Polish translation of the Gaming Motivation Inventory (GMI). Moreover, it explores the role of introjected regulation in GD using a comprehensive motivational model. A representative sample of 1060 adolescents (930 gamers) completed measures of GD symptoms, gaming motivation, and involvement. GD risk ranged from 7.7% to 10.8%, higher among boys (8.9%-12.2%) than girls (6.5%-7.5%). The Polish GMI demonstrated strong psychometric properties, supporting its use in assessing gaming motivations among Polish adolescents. Introjected regulation, escape and identity were among the motivations most strongly associated with GD symptoms, with introjected regulation emerging as the strongest predictor.

PMID:42082540 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-49533-9

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