RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Videogame addiction has been suggested as a tentative disorder in 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and was recently officially recognized as a mental health disorder by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although a few studies have identified attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a key risk factor for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), the interplay between ADHD and IGD symptoms with gender differences across cultures remains to be further examined. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the moderating effects of gender in the association between ADHD and IGD across two nations. METHOD: A cross-sectional online survey was developed to recruit 164 Australian (Mageâ¯=â¯23.01, SDâ¯=â¯3.35, Minageâ¯=â¯18, Maxageâ¯=â¯31, Males nâ¯=â¯121, 73.80%) and 457â¯U.S.-North American (Mageâ¯=â¯25.25â¯years, SDâ¯=â¯2.76, Minageâ¯=â¯18â¯years, Maxageâ¯=â¯29â¯years, Malesâ¯=â¯265, 57.98%) Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) players aged between 18 and 29â¯years. RESULTS: The hierarchical linear regression, moderation and moderated moderation analyses revealed that participants presenting greater inattention and hyperactivity symptoms exhibited higher levels of IGD-related behaviors in the two samples. Moreover, these associations differed across genders between the two countries. Specifically, more hyperactive-impulsive, as well as inattentive males in the USA presented higher levels of disordered gaming. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the need for more cross-cultural and symptom-focused research in the broader IGD field.