Validation of the Persian version of the internet gaming disorder-20 Test among the students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

The American Psychiatrists Association has inserted Internet gaming disorder into Section III of DSM-V. The IGD-20 test has been introduced as a tool for investigating IGD. This study aims to assess the validity of the Persian version of IGD-20 test.

In this methodological study, 394 undergraduate students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were included using Convenience sampling method. The data were collected using social demographic form, Persian version of IGD-20 test, Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, and gambling behaviors form. A confirmatory factor analysis using the AMOS 22 was applied to examine the construct validity of the tool. Also face, content and criterion validity, internal consistency and test retest reliability of the scale were evaluated.

Content validity led to the revising of one of scale items appropriate to Iranian culture. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated the good fit of the six-factor model to the data((P<0.001) CMIN / DF = 2.503., RMSEA = 0.043, CFI = 0.936).  The IGD-20 test revealed good internal consistency (α=0.91) as well as two weeks test–retest reliability (r=0.94). Criterion validity was revealed by a significant correlation between IGD and the scores of Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale and also duration of gaming during the day (R=0.13, P<0.05 and, R= 0.35, P <0.001, respectively).

It seems that this scale is a valid and reliable tool and can be used for research purposes in Iranian students.