Executive Function, Occupational Balance, and Quality of Life in Internet Gaming Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is an increasing public health concern, particularly among adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the associations between IGD, executive functions, occupational balance, and quality of life in adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted online with 62 adolescents aged from 12 to 18 years, including 31 diagnosed with IGD and 31 healthy controls. Measures included the Internet Gaming Disorder Test, Teenage Executive Functioning Inventory, Adolescent Occupational Balance Scale, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Adolescents with IGD had significantly lower executive functioning ( p < .001), occupational balance ( p = .00), and quality of life ( p = .00) compared to controls. A moderate correlation was found between IGD severity and executive dysfunction ( r = .457, p = .01). Findings suggest that IGD is associated with lower executive functions, occupational balance, and quality of life in adolescents, and that a moderate positive association was also found between executive functions and IGD.