New CHOP research examines relationship between parenting and gaming dysfunction in younger youngsters with ADHD

BOSTON, April 24, 2026 – A brand new Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia research examines the connection between parenting elements and gaming dysfunction in younger youngsters with consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD). Findings from the research might be introduced through the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2026 Meeting, going down April 24-27 in Boston.

 

More than 80% of American youngsters play video video games, and proof is accumulating {that a} substantial proportion interact in problematic gaming. Moreover, youngsters with ADHD are in danger for problematic online game use. This research discovered that threat elements for problematic gaming embody unfavorable parenting behaviors, male intercourse and older age. Negative parenting behaviors are modifiable with parenting coaching applications. The relationship between gaming and parenting can also be bidirectional, with problematic gaming contributing to unfavorable parenting. Parental involvement in gaming, elevated entry to consoles, and elevated family limits on gaming weren’t related to gaming dysfunction.

 

“We found that negative parenting behaviors (such as arguing, punishing and losing temper) are significantly associated with children meeting criteria for gaming addiction,” mentioned Emily Wassmer, MD, fellow doctor at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and lead creator of the research. “We can’t determine a causal association from this data, but it is likely that the relationship is bidirectional, as parenting behaviors mediate child behaviors. Parenting behaviors are modifiable with evidence-based parent training programs, so programs like these may be beneficial for caregivers of gamers whose gaming has reached problematic levels. These findings are one piece part of a larger study evaluating risk factors for video game addiction in young children (age 5-12) with ADHD, a population at risk for addiction because of their ADHD diagnosis, though under-represented in gaming addiction research which tends to focus on adolescents.”

 

Recognizing the affect of video video games on psychological well being, standards for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) have been proposed within the DSM-5. These standards have hardly ever been utilized to medical populations. There is restricted analysis on online game use in youngsters with ADHD, a bunch weak to creating addictive behaviors. Existing analysis has targeted on individual-level elements associated to problematic gaming, and there was minimal deal with parental elements, which can be useful in figuring out targets for behavioral interventions.

 

Additional info is included within the under analysis summary. The PAS Meeting connects 1000’s of main pediatric researchers, clinicians and educators worldwide. View the complete schedule within the PAS 2026 program guide. For extra details about the PAS Meeting, please go to www.pas-meeting.org.

 

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About the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting

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Abstract: Relationship Between Parenting Factors and Gaming Disorder in Young Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

 

Presenting Author

Emily Wassmer, MD, Fellow Physician, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

 

Organization

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

 

Topic

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics: Parenting

 

Background

More than 80% of American youngsters play video video games, and proof is accumulating {that a} substantial proportion interact in problematic gaming. Recognizing the affect of video video games on psychological well being, standards for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) have been proposed within the DSM-5. These standards have hardly ever been utilized to medical populations. There is restricted analysis on online game use in youngsters with ADHD, a bunch weak to creating addictive behaviors. Existing analysis has targeted on individual-level elements associated to problematic gaming, and there was minimal deal with parental elements, which can be useful in figuring out targets for behavioral interventions.

 

Objective

Examine the extent to which limits on gaming, parental self-discipline type, dad and mom gaming with youngsters, and console entry are related to problematic online game use in youngsters with ADHD.

 

Design/Methods

IGD standards have been tailored into survey questions refined via suggestions from group stakeholders, together with caregivers and youth. This screener and different validated instruments – Adult Involvement in Media Scale & Parent Child Relationship Questionnaire – have been administered electronically to caregivers of youngsters age 5-12 with ADHD who play video video games. Exclusion standards included autism and mental incapacity.

 

A complete of 304 contributors have been enrolled. Covariates included age, intercourse, caregiver degree of schooling, ADHD remedy standing, frequency of remedy use, and drugs kind. Predictor variables included parental involvement in gaming, console entry, limits on gaming, constructive parenting behaviors, and unfavorable parenting behaviors. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression fashions have been used to look at associations with screening constructive for IGD.

 

Results

In univariate analyses, age, male intercourse, and unfavorable parenting have been related to screening constructive for gaming dysfunction. These associations endured within the multivariable mannequin (age OR 1.20, p=0.013; male intercourse OR 2.35, p=0.007; unfavorable parenting OR 2.87, p< 0.001), with unfavorable parenting behaviors demonstrating the strongest relationship.

 

Conclusion(s)

Children with ADHD are in danger for problematic online game use. Risk elements for problematic gaming embody unfavorable parenting behaviors, male intercourse, and older age. Negative parenting behaviors are modifiable with parenting coaching applications. The relationship between gaming and parenting can also be bidirectional, with problematic gaming contributing to unfavorable parenting. Parental involvement in gaming, elevated entry to consoles, and elevated family limits on gaming weren’t related to gaming dysfunction.

 

Co-Authors

Alex Holdaway, PhD, Psychologist, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Rachel Sanderlin, Data Scientist, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Alexis Z. Tomlinson, PhD, Biostatistician, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Thomas Power, PhD, Professor, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

 

Tables and Images

Demographics

1n (%); Median (Q1, Q3) 50 topics have been excluded from the cohort, as a result of having no responses to the Vanderbilt measure. Gender and Assigned Sex have been virtually an identical; 5 circumstances who have been assigned feminine at delivery famous gender as male (2), non-binary (1), or didn’t reply to the query (2). In Relationship to Child, different contained 1 adoptive father, and 1 grandmother, the remainder have been unknown. In `Race`, the `Unknown or Other` contained 1 American Indian or Alaska Native topic, 1 Asian and Hispanic topic, 1 Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander topic, 1 Middle Eastern or North African topic, and a couple of topics of whom their race was unknown. IEP refers to an Individualized Education Plan, which provides specialised instructional instruction and providers beneath the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA is a legislation that makes accessible a free applicable public schooling to eligible youngsters with disabilities all through the United States and ensures particular schooling and associated providers to these youngsters. 504 refers to a 504 Plan, which offers school-based lodging for kids with bodily or psychological challenges. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the idea of incapacity in applications or actions that obtain federal monetary help from the U.S. Department of Education.

Table 1 demographics.png

 

Univariable Logistic Regression Results by Internet Gaming Disorder Status

1OR = Odds Ratio, CI = Confidence Interval 2Median (Q1, Q3); n (%)

Table 7a Aim 2 Univariate.png

 

Multivariable Model

1OR = Odds Ratio, CI = Confidence Interval, VIF = Variance Inflation Factor

Table 7b Aim 2 Multivariate.png

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