Gaming Disorder and Parenting Style: A Case Series

Objectives: The increasing prevalence of gaming disorder poses new challenges in terms of detection and prevention. Identification of risk factors is necessary to predict, diagnose, treat, and form health policies as regards to gaming disorders. The objective of this study was to report cases in regard to the identification of parenting style as a risk factor for gaming disorder and its role in the management of the condition. Methods: Through clinical case descriptions, we present 2 cases where patients were brought to our addiction clinic due to excessive gaming causing social and academic dysfunction. Results: These cases portray 2 different parenting styles, authoritarian and permissive, both contributing heavily to the gaming disorder they endured. The patients were provided with family therapy along with motivational enhancement and pharmacotherapy which resulted in improvement in their Internet Addiction Test scores. Conclusions: This case series presents 2 cases of gaming disorder in Indonesia wherein parenting style plays an important role in predisposing individuals to gaming disorder. To our knowledge, this report is the first to explore cases of gaming disorder in Indonesia and the treatment plans implemented in these cases can be used as a clinical recommendation for the management of gaming disorders in Indonesia. Expectantly, information regarding the association of parenting styles and gaming can aid in screening and treatment of gaming disorders.