Problematic internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence data.

AIMS: This study sought to synthesize prevalence rates of problematic internet use (PIU) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the general adult (age over 18 years old) population and to investigate its possible moderators. METHODS: A preregistered systematic literature review using the PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCOhost/PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, GSK Clinical Study Register, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases was conducted. Research was completed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 checklist. RESULTS: A total of 22 publications were identified, fulfilling inclusion criteria from a total of 595 studies. The analysis revealed that the prevalence of PIU during the COVID-19 pandemic period was 25%, however applying a stringent threshold for the PIU, resulted in a much lower prevalence of 7.9%. CONCLUSION: The PIU prevalence rate during the COVID-19 pandemic in the general population was 7.9%. Measuring the prevalence of PIU remains complicated due to the large methodological and cultural diversity that exists, so global prevalence estimates of PIU vary substantially. More methodologically sound research on psychodiagnostic assessment and cultural variances is required. (Neuropsychopharmacol Hung 2023; 25(3): 131-141) Keywords: COVID-19; internet addiction; problematic usage of the internet; prevalence; systematic review, meta-analysis Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021284619.

The concept of recovery in gaming disorder: A scoping review.

Background: Recovery from mental health and behavioral disorders is classically defined as a reduction in symptoms. More recent definitions see it as a process in which individuals improve their health, wellness and other life domains. The inclusion of gaming disorder (GD) in the 11th International Classification of Diseases in 2019 prompted growing interest in GD. However, relatively little is known about recovery from GD, and there is scant literature describing or assessing its course. Objectives: This scoping review was designed to explore the state of the art on recovery from GD (e.g., terminology and measures used to assess recovery, main topics in studies about recovery from GD). Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched and critically reviewed according to PRISMA guidelines. We included empirical studies in English covering individuals across all age groups who met the diagnostic criteria of GD/internet gaming disorder (IGD) according to valid scales that relate to recovery or any change, and were published before February 2022. Results: A total of 47 out of 966 studies met the inclusion criteria. Recovery as a concept is not explicitly mentioned in GD studies. Rather, changes in subjects' disorders are described in terms of decreases/reductions in symptom severity, or improvement/increases. These changes are primarily measured by scales that evaluate symptom reduction and/or improvement in GD and other psychopathologies. Conclusions: The concept of recovery is included in the GD field but is not clearly mentioned or used. Therapists and researchers should aim to promote and integrate the notion of recovery in GD.