Gaming behaviors have been significantly influenced by smartphones. This study was\ndesigned to explore gaming behaviors and clinical characteristics across different gaming device\nusage patterns and the role of the patterns on Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Responders of an online\nsurvey regarding smartphone and online game usage were classified by different gaming device usage\npatterns: (1) individuals who played only computer games; (2) individuals who played computer\ngames more than smartphone games; (3) individuals who played computer and smartphone games\nevenly; (4) individuals who played smartphone games more than computer games; (5) individuals\nwho played only smartphone games. Data on demographics, gaming-related behaviors, and scales for\nInternet and smartphone addiction, depression, anxiety disorder, and substance use were collected.\nCombined users, especially those who played computer and smartphone games evenly, had higher\nprevalence of IGD, depression, anxiety disorder, and substance use disorder. These subjects were more\nprone to develop IGD than reference group (computer only gamers) (B = 0.457, odds ratio = 1.579).\nSmartphone only gamers had the lowest prevalence of IGD, spent the least time and money on\ngaming, and showed lowest scores of Internet and smartphone addiction. Our findings suggest that\ngaming device usage patterns may be associated with the occurrence, course, and prognosis of IGD.
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