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Dysfunctional Cognitions in Online Gaming and Internet Gaming Disorder: a Narrative Review and New Classification

  • Technology Addiction (J Billieux, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Over the last two decades, Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has emerged as a potential clinical entity. Dysfunctional cognitions relating to IGD have been the object of debate by scholars in the field. The aim of the current paper is to provide a narrative review and new classification of dysfunctional cognitions involved in IGD.

Recent Findings

A wide range of dysfunctional cognitions have been investigated in online gaming. Recent research has indicated the importance and value of distinguishing dysfunctional cognitions from dysfunctional metacognitions in IGD.

Summary

We propose a new classification which distinguishes between dysfunctional cognitions and metacognitions in IGD. Future studies should compare these two forms of cognitive constructs using longitudinal and experimental designs and examine their relative contribution in predicting IGD and efficacy of different treatments.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Psicologia dello Sviluppo e della Socializzazione, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy

    Claudia Marino

  2. Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Rd, London, SE10AA, UK

    Claudia Marino & Marcantonio M. Spada

Authors
  1. Claudia Marino
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  2. Marcantonio M. Spada
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Correspondence to Marcantonio M. Spada.

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Conflict of Interest

Claudia Marino and Dr. Marcantonio M. Spada declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Technology Addiction

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Marino, C., Spada, M.M. Dysfunctional Cognitions in Online Gaming and Internet Gaming Disorder: a Narrative Review and New Classification. Curr Addict Rep 4, 308–316 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-017-0160-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-017-0160-0

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