Prevalence, Sex Differences, and Predictors of Internet Gaming Disorder Among Impoverished Rural Adolescents: Cross-Sectional and Prospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is prevalent globally and linked to significant negative outcomes. Impoverished rural adolescents face unique risks due to limited supervision and unequal digital resources, with limited longitudinal research conducted in this population. Existing studies show sex differences in IGD prevalence, but their manifestations and mechanisms in rural populations remain unclear.

Objective

This is the first large-sample cross-sectional and prospective cohort study targeting impoverished adolescents in rural areas. It aimed to determine the prevalence of IGD among impoverished rural adolescents, identify sex-specific risk and protective factors, and evaluate the longitudinal predictors of IGD.

Methods

In this study, self-administered que

SUBMITTER: Wang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12622857 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature