Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form (IGDS9-SF)
The IGDS9-SF is a 9-item self-report tool that assesses the severity of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) symptoms based on the DSM-5-TR criteria. It is widely used to screen for problematic gaming behavior and support early identification of gaming-related functional impairment. The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form (IGDS9-SF) is a tool designed to assess the severity of internet gaming disorder symptoms.
About the IGDS9-SF
Developed by Pontes and Griffiths (2015), the IGDS9-SF is grounded in the DSM-5-TR’s proposed criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder. It captures psychological dependence, loss of control, preoccupation, withdrawal, and negative consequences of excessive gaming. Each item corresponds to one of the nine DSM-5-TR criteria for IGD.
The IGDS9-SF has been validated internationally and is suitable for use in both clinical and research contexts, including adolescent and adult populations.
Psychometric Properties
The IGDS9-SF has demonstrated strong psychometric validity, including:
- Internal consistency: Cronbach’s α = 0.88–0.91
- Unidimensional factor structure
- Correlates strongly with depression, anxiety, and time spent gaming
It is considered one of the most robust brief IGD screeners available across multiple languages and cultural groups.
Sources: Pontes & Griffiths, 2015; Pontes et al., 2021
The Scale
The IGDS9-SF includes 9 items, each rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (Never) to 5 (Very often), reflecting behaviors over the past 12 months.
Example item: “Have you continued your gaming activity despite knowing it was causing problems between you and other people?”
Total scores range from 9 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater IGD symptom severity.
Score Range
There is no universally agreed cutoff, but suggested ranges include:
- 9–20: Low or no risk
- 21–35: Moderate risk; monitor closely
- 36–45: High risk; further assessment recommended
A clinical diagnosis of IGD should be made by a trained professional and requires meeting five or more criteria with associated distress or impairment.
References
- 1.Pontes HM, Griffiths MD. Measuring DSM-5 internet gaming disorder: Development and validation of a short psychometric scale. Comput Human Behav. 2015;45:137-143.View source
- 2.Pontes HM, Griffiths MD. Portuguese Validation of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2016;19(4):288-293.View source
- 3.Poon LYJ, Tsang HWH, Chan TYJ, et al. Psychometric Properties of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF): Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res. 2021;23(10):e26821.View source
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the IGDS9-SF scored?
The IGDS9-SF contains 9 items, each rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (Never) to 5 (Very often). Total scores range from 9 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity. Each item maps directly onto one of the nine DSM-5-TR criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder.
Is the IGDS9-SF self-report or clinician-administered?
The IGDS9-SF is a self-report measure completed by the respondent without clinician involvement. It is suitable for both clinical screening and research contexts across adolescent and adult populations.
Can the IGDS9-SF diagnose Internet Gaming Disorder?
No. The IGDS9-SF is a screening instrument designed to assess symptom severity, not to establish a diagnosis. A diagnosis of Internet Gaming Disorder requires a clinical evaluation by a qualified professional and, per DSM-5-TR, the endorsement of five or more criteria with associated distress or functional impairment.
How widely has the IGDS9-SF been validated?
A 2021 systematic review (Poon et al.) covering 21 studies and 15 language versions found that the IGDS9-SF consistently demonstrates adequate internal consistency, a unidimensional factor structure, and strong criterion validity. It is among the most cross-culturally replicated brief measures for problematic gaming.
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