DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder Symptoms Checklist (DISCA)

Abstract

The DSM-5 Internet Gaming Disorder Symptoms Checklist (DISCA; Yang et al., 2023) was developed as an original checklist to identify symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in Chinese adolescents. Its development was based on the nine IGD symptoms outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5th Edition (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Each symptom was adapted into a self-report item tailored for young adolescents. The scale was translated from English to Chinese using a standard forward-backward translation method. Psychometric evaluation was conducted on data from secondary school students in China who reported playing Internet games within the past 12 months. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a unidimensional structure. The study reported on test reliability, validity, and measurement invariance. A limitation noted by the authors was the cross-sectional design, which precluded testing of predictive validity.

Keywords

Adolescents, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Internet Gaming Disorder, Symptoms

Authors

Yang, Xue; Jiang, Xuewen; Wu, Anise M. S.; Ma, Le; Cai, Yong; Wong, Kei Man; Lau, Joseph T. F.

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Purpose

The DISCA is designed to detect the symptoms of Internet gaming disorder in Chinese adolescents.

Validity

Criterion Validity: The DISCA score demonstrated a significant association with self-identified IGD (t = 4.36, p < 0.001) and less perceived self-control of Internet gaming behavior (t = 3.26, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the DISCA score showed a significant positive correlation with time spent on playing Internet games (r = 0.34, p < 0.01). The DISCA score was also significantly and positively correlated with depression (r = 0.36, p < 0.01) and suicidal ideation (r = 0.21, p < 0.01).

Convergence Validity: The average variance extracted (AVE) was 0.30.

Reliability

Internal Consistency: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was reported as 0.77. The composite reliability (CR) was 0.79.

Test-Retest Reliability: The intraclass correlation (ICC) was 0.71.

Factor Analysis

Confirmatory Factor Analysis: The unidimensional structure of the DISCA was confirmed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with satisfactory model fit indices (χ2/df = 246.18/27, CFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.03).

Measurement Invariance: The unconstrained model by gender showed satisfactory model fit (χ2/df = 297.67/54, CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.04). The unconstrained model by cities also showed acceptable model fit (χ2/df = 361.46/72, CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.05).

Instrument: DSM-5 IGD Symptoms Checklist for Adolescents (DISCA)

Test Type: Original

Format: A “Yes” or “No” response format was used for the items.

Language Available: Chinese, English.

Population Group: Human (Male and Female adolescents).

Age Group: Adolescence (13-17 years).

Population Details: The study was conducted in China, with respondents being secondary school students.

Test Methodology: The psychometric evaluation involved Test Validity, Criterion Validity, Test Reliability, Internal Consistency, Test-Retest Reliability, Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Measurement Invariance.

Keywords

Adolescents, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Internet Gaming Disorder, Symptoms

Authors

Author Orcid Identifier:

• Jiang, Xuewen: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4900-9500

• Lau, Joseph T. F.: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2344-7107

Affiliation:

• Yang, Xue: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Medicine Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Health Behaviours Research

• Jiang, Xuewen: Peking University School of Public Health

• Wu, Anise M. S.: University of Macau Department of Psychology

• Ma, Le: Xi’an Jiao Tong University Health Science Center School of Public Health

• Cai, Yong: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Faculty of Medicine School of Public Health

• Wong, Kei Man: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Medicine Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Health Behaviours Research

• Lau, Joseph T. F.: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Medicine Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Health Behaviours Research

Email addresses:

• Jiang, Xuewen: [email protected]

• Ma, Le: [email protected]

• Cai, Yong: [email protected]

• Lau, Joseph T. F.: [email protected]

Correspondence Address:

• Lau, Joseph T. F.: [email protected]

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: Contact Corresponding Author

Commercial: No

Fee: No

Test Year: 2023

References

Yang, X., Jiang, X., Wu, A. M. S., Ma, L., Cai, Y., Wong, K. M., & Lau, J. T. F. (2023). Validation of the Internet Gaming Disorder Symptoms Checklist based on the fifth edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders in Chinese adolescents. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 54(1), 26–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-021-01213-7

Items of the DSM-5 IGD Symptoms Checklist for Adolescents (DISCA)

No data is Available. This is a 9-item measure.