Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, Short Form (IGDS9-SF)

The IGDS9-SF (Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, Short Form) is a 9-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the severity of Internet Gaming Disorder symptoms over the past 12 months, based on the DSM-5 criteria. It is widely used to screen for problematic gaming behaviour and support early identification of gaming-related functional impairment.

Use at intake or when gaming-related impairment is suspected. Reassess every 3–6 months if monitoring symptom severity or treatment progress.

For professional reference, research, and education only. Not for diagnosis or medical advice.

What does the IGDS9-SF measure?

The IGDS9-SF (Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, Short Form) is a 9-item self-report questionnaire that rates the severity of internet gaming disorder symptoms over the past 12 months [1]. It is grounded in the DSM-5’s proposed criteria (Section III) 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 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.

How do you give the IGDS9-SF?

The IGDS9-SF includes 9 items, each rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (Never) to 5 (Very often), reflecting behaviours over the past 12 months. It is completed by the respondent without clinician involvement.

Items map to the nine DSM-5 Section III criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder, such as continued gaming despite problems with other people. (Item wording is not reproduced here.)

How do you score and interpret the IGDS9-SF?

Total scores range from 9 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater IGD symptom severity.

There are no validated severity bands for the total score. A 2021 systematic review notes that clinical studies have suggested a cutoff of 32 to distinguish disordered from non-disordered gamers [3]; treat this as a prompt for clinical evaluation, not a validated diagnostic threshold, and track change over time for the same person.

A clinical diagnosis of IGD should be made by a trained professional and requires meeting five or more criteria with associated distress or impairment.

Psychometric properties

The IGDS9-SF has demonstrated strong psychometric validity, including:

  • Internal consistency: Cronbach’s α = .810–.963 across the 21 studies in the 2021 systematic review [3]
  • Unidimensional factor structure
  • Correlates positively with time spent gaming and with depression, anxiety and stress (as measured, for example, by the DASS-21)

A 2021 systematic review of 21 studies covering 15 language versions found adequate internal consistency, excellent criterion validity, a unidimensional factor structure in all 21 studies, and measurement invariance across gender and age [3]. A Portuguese validation in 509 adolescents also supported the single-factor structure and found satisfactory reliability [2].

Limitations

  • Screening, not diagnosis. The IGDS9-SF measures symptom severity; a diagnosis requires clinical evaluation.
  • No agreed cutoff. No severity bands have been validated, and the suggested cutoff of 32 is not a diagnostic threshold.
  • Limited evidence on change over time. The 2021 systematic review found insufficient evidence on responsiveness and on item response theory properties.
  • Related problems. Problem gambling has its own screens, such as the BBGS; when gaming sits alongside depression or anxiety, treatment such as CBT is planned from a full assessment.
  • Self-report. Scores depend on the respondent's insight and willingness to disclose gaming behaviour.

For individuals: This page is a clinical reference, not a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your own symptoms, bring this information to a qualified mental health professional.

Related

FAQ

  • 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 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 tool 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, 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 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.

References

    1. 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.
    2. 2.Pontes HM, Griffiths MD. Portuguese Validation of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2016;19(4):288-293.
    3. 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.

    © 2015 Pontes & Griffiths.

This library is an academic and clinical reference. A scale described here is not necessarily offered in HiBoop; each page says whether it is.

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