Development and validation of a game addiction scale

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a scale to measure computer and videogame addiction. Inspired by earlier theories and research on game and internet addiction, we created 21 items to measure seven criteria for game addiction (i.e., salience, tolerance, mood modification, relapse, withdrawal, conflict, and problems). The dimensionality, reliability, and validity of these items and criteria were investigated in a survey among 644 Dutch adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age. We used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to test different first- and second-order factor models that varied in item length (21 vs. 14 vs. 7 items). Although both 21-item and 14-item second-order factor models resulted in acceptable model fits, the most parsimonious 7-item model clearly provided the best fit. Convergent and criterion-related validity tests provided further evidence of a solid theory-based instrument to measure game addiction.