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Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública

2026, Number 4

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salud publica mex 2026; 68 (4)

Gaming and internet gaming disorder in Mexico: a national survey of the general Mexican population

Orozco-Zavala R, Berenzon-Gorn S, Ancira-Guzmán AP, Cruz-Cruz C, Hubert C, Borges G

Language: Spanish
References: 38
Page: 467-475
PDF size: 408.00 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Objective. This study aims to describe the characteristics of videogame users in Mexico, estimate the prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and its symptoms, evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the IGDS9-SF scale, and examine associations between IGD, IGD symptoms, and mental health conditions. Materials and methods. The Encuesta Nacional de Consumo de Drogas, Alcohol y Tabaco 2025 is a representative national survey of the Mexican population aged 12 to 65, conducted through face-to-face interviews. Data analysis accounted for the complex survey design and included prevalence estimates for videogame users, the nine IGD symptoms, and IGD. Item response theory was used to study the psychometric characteristics of the IGDS9-SF. Associations were estimated using generalized linear models and reported as adjusted prevalence ratios. Results. A total of 23.2% of the population reported gaming. Among these individuals, 14.4% reported at least one IGD symptom and 0.9% (95%CI: 0.6,1.3) was positive to IGD, corresponding to 0.2% of the general population. The IGDS9-SF scale is unidimensional and has excellent model fit (n= 4 554; CFI/TLI ›0.95; RMSEA ‹0.06). IGD was associated with psychological distress (aPR= 3.48; 95%CI: 2.12,5.70), suicidal behaviors and drug use. Conclusion. Although IGD is infrequent in the general population, it is associated with important mental health problems. The IGDS9-SF scale might be appropriate for the Mexican context.


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