Adolescent Problem Gambling and Gaming in the Hierarchical Structure of Psychopathology

Research suggests that certain mental health disorders are likely to co-occur, with higher order dimensions of psychopathology being discernable. Specifically, mental health disorders tend to be organized into two general dimensions: internalizing and externalizing disorders. Despite substantial evidence supporting this hierarchical structure, no studies have integrated both recognized forms of behavioral addictions, gambling and gaming disorders, into this model utilizing a sample of adolescents. The objective of this study is to examine how risk for problem gambling (PG) and problem video gaming (PVG) load onto the higher order structure of psychopathology. Survey responses were collected from 6,413 adolescents (50.4% male, Mage = 14.74 years, 80.2% White) from Wood County, Ohio. Measures included frequency of gambling, PG symptoms, frequency of video gaming, PVG symptoms, symptoms of depression and anxiety, aggressive problems, and delinquency. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted and data were fit to a two-factor structure. PG symptoms loaded most highly on the externalizing factor (B = 0.18, SE = 0.02), and PVG symptoms loaded similarly on the externalizing (B = 0.32, SE = 0.02) and internalizing (B = 0.24, SE = 0.02) factors. Model fit indices indicated that the model in which PG and PVG were loaded on the externalizing factor provided the best fit. Exploratory analyses were suggestive of an alternative three-factor model which improved model fit. Findings suggest that youth prevention and intervention approaches need to address behavioral addictions early while considering the impact of other commonly associated problems.