Development and validation of the internet gaming disorder scale-9 short form Japanese version for children for early screening in elementary school children

IntroductionThe increasing use of digital devices has led to growing concern over Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) among younger children. While several tools for the assessment of IGD have been developed, validated questionnaires have primarily been designed for children aged nine years and older, le...

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Main Authors: Azusa Ogiso, Takeshi Inoue, Tasuku Kitajima, Yuta Ujiie, Yuji Oto, Ryoichi Sakuta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frcha.2025.1622000/full
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author Azusa Ogiso
Takeshi Inoue
Tasuku Kitajima
Tasuku Kitajima
Yuta Ujiie
Yuji Oto
Ryoichi Sakuta
author_facet Azusa Ogiso
Takeshi Inoue
Tasuku Kitajima
Tasuku Kitajima
Yuta Ujiie
Yuji Oto
Ryoichi Sakuta
author_sort Azusa Ogiso
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe increasing use of digital devices has led to growing concern over Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) among younger children. While several tools for the assessment of IGD have been developed, validated questionnaires have primarily been designed for children aged nine years and older, leaving a gap for early detection. This study developed and validated the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-9 Short Form Japanese version for Children (IGDS9-SF-JC), a self-reported screening tool tailored for lower elementary school children.MethodsThe IGDS9-SF-JC was developed in collaboration with pediatric neurologists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and elementary school teachers. This study assessed 525 children aged 6–12 years studying at a public elementary school in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.ResultsThe IGDS9-SF-JC demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.849). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a unidimensional structure with acceptable model fit indices (GFI = 0.942, CFI = 0.931, RMSEA = 0.085). In general, boys had significantly higher total scores than girls, and higher scores were associated with ownership of a gaming device and/or a smartphone, longer times spent gaming and video-watching, later bedtimes, and skipping breakfast. These results are consistent with previous findings of IGD and lifestyle factors in older children and adolescents.DiscussionThe IGDS9-SF-JC expands the applicability of IGD screening to younger children, providing a reliable and valid tool for the early identification and potential intervention of IGD. Further studies are required to refine the instrument and establish clinical cutoff scores using comparison with clinical populations.
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spelling doaj-art-d18de3a7e13c45c2aad2ae0797db4b8e2025-08-20T03:50:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry2813-45402025-07-01410.3389/frcha.2025.16220001622000Development and validation of the internet gaming disorder scale-9 short form Japanese version for children for early screening in elementary school childrenAzusa Ogiso0Takeshi Inoue1Tasuku Kitajima2Tasuku Kitajima3Yuta Ujiie4Yuji Oto5Ryoichi Sakuta6Child Development and Psychosomatic Medicine Center, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, JapanChild Development and Psychosomatic Medicine Center, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, JapanChild Development and Psychosomatic Medicine Center, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, JapanNagasaki Prefectural Center of Medicine and Welfare for Children, Nagasaki, JapanDepartment of Psychology, College of Contemporary Psychology, Rikkyo University, Saitama, JapanDepartment of Pediatrics, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, JapanChild Development and Psychosomatic Medicine Center, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, JapanIntroductionThe increasing use of digital devices has led to growing concern over Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) among younger children. While several tools for the assessment of IGD have been developed, validated questionnaires have primarily been designed for children aged nine years and older, leaving a gap for early detection. This study developed and validated the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-9 Short Form Japanese version for Children (IGDS9-SF-JC), a self-reported screening tool tailored for lower elementary school children.MethodsThe IGDS9-SF-JC was developed in collaboration with pediatric neurologists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and elementary school teachers. This study assessed 525 children aged 6–12 years studying at a public elementary school in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.ResultsThe IGDS9-SF-JC demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.849). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a unidimensional structure with acceptable model fit indices (GFI = 0.942, CFI = 0.931, RMSEA = 0.085). In general, boys had significantly higher total scores than girls, and higher scores were associated with ownership of a gaming device and/or a smartphone, longer times spent gaming and video-watching, later bedtimes, and skipping breakfast. These results are consistent with previous findings of IGD and lifestyle factors in older children and adolescents.DiscussionThe IGDS9-SF-JC expands the applicability of IGD screening to younger children, providing a reliable and valid tool for the early identification and potential intervention of IGD. Further studies are required to refine the instrument and establish clinical cutoff scores using comparison with clinical populations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frcha.2025.1622000/fullinternet gaming disorderchild mental healthscreening toolquestionnaire validationelementary school children
spellingShingle Azusa Ogiso
Takeshi Inoue
Tasuku Kitajima
Tasuku Kitajima
Yuta Ujiie
Yuji Oto
Ryoichi Sakuta
Development and validation of the internet gaming disorder scale-9 short form Japanese version for children for early screening in elementary school children
Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
internet gaming disorder
child mental health
screening tool
questionnaire validation
elementary school children
title Development and validation of the internet gaming disorder scale-9 short form Japanese version for children for early screening in elementary school children
title_full Development and validation of the internet gaming disorder scale-9 short form Japanese version for children for early screening in elementary school children
title_fullStr Development and validation of the internet gaming disorder scale-9 short form Japanese version for children for early screening in elementary school children
title_full_unstemmed Development and validation of the internet gaming disorder scale-9 short form Japanese version for children for early screening in elementary school children
title_short Development and validation of the internet gaming disorder scale-9 short form Japanese version for children for early screening in elementary school children
title_sort development and validation of the internet gaming disorder scale 9 short form japanese version for children for early screening in elementary school children
topic internet gaming disorder
child mental health
screening tool
questionnaire validation
elementary school children
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frcha.2025.1622000/full
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