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.
The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form (IGDS9-SF) is a tool designed to assess the severity of internet gaming disorder symptoms.
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.
Assessment 22 of 37
Related Assessments
Operationalize this assessment
Bring Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form (IGDS9-SF) into your digital workflow
Use our measurement-based care platform to automate scoring, monitor outcomes, and share results with care teams. Explore digital mental health assessments or see how primary care clinics deploy these tools in HiBoop for Primary Care.
Need a guided tour? Request a demo to see how Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form (IGDS9-SF) fits alongside 50+ other validated scales.