Abstract

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is highly comorbid with depression, anxiety, sleep loss, lower productivity, and social isolation. The DSM-5 TR designates IGD as a condition for further study, however the ICD-11 has designed Gaming Disorder as a codified illness. While most studies look at IGD via a medical model lens focusing almost exclusively on symptomology, very little research explores the process of recovery in IGD. In this grounded theory inquiry, a theory of recovery from IGD is generated. Secondary internet data consisted of 113 posts on the subreddit /r/StopGaming on reddit.com. This resulted in 196 pages of data. Researcher used a Charmazian analytical approach. The grounded theory model of recovery from IGD contained the following themes: emerging process of IGD, family system disruption, emotional regulation via gaming, realizing the need to quit, quitting, beginning recovery, withdrawal, relapse, emotional regulation without gaming, fresh view of self, and change. Recovery is seen as process oriented. Change occurred outside a clinical setting. Clinical implications highlight the strength of utilizing systems in the recovery from IGD.

Degree

PhD

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Family Life

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/