Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form (IGDS9-SF)
Jump to section
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 criteria. It is widely used to screen for problematic gaming behavior and support early identification of gaming-related functional impairment.
Recommended Frequency: Use at intake or when gaming-related impairment is suspected. Reassess every 3–6 months if monitoring symptom severity or treatment progress.
About the IGDS9-SF
Developed by Pontes and Griffiths (2015), the IGDS9-SF is grounded in the DSM-5’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 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.
Copyright
© 2015 Pontes & Griffiths. Freely available for non-commercial research and clinical use with citation.
References
- Pontes, H. M., & Griffiths, M. D. (2015). Measuring DSM-5 Internet gaming disorder: Development and validation of a short psychometric scale. Computers in Human Behavior, 45, 137–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.12.006
- Pontes, H. M., Stavropoulos, V., & Griffiths, M. D. (2021). Measurement invariance of the IGDS9-SF across 21 countries. Addictive Behaviors, 117, 106845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106845
Disclaimer
This summary is for informational purposes only. The IGDS9-SF is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. HiBoop does not interpret or score assessments. Clinical evaluation is required to confirm Internet Gaming Disorder.
Permissions
The IGDS9-SF may be used freely for non-commercial research and clinical screening with attribution. For commercial use, contact the authors for permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IGDS9-SF only for children and teens?
No, it’s validated for individuals 12+, including adults with problematic gaming patterns.
What if a client games a lot but doesn’t score high?
Frequency alone isn’t diagnostic—IGDS9-SF focuses on distress and impairment.
Can this tool be used outside of mental health clinics?
Yes. It’s suitable for school counselors, family doctors, and addiction services.