Abstract

This study examines previous researches on the gaming disorder, which was included under a section of Disorders due to Addictive Behaviors in the 11th revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by the World Health Organization (WHO), and their limitations; proposes future direction of research. First, we looked at the current status of the home and foreign studies on gaming disorder from the perspectives of disciplines, themes, methods, subjects, and stances. Next, the limitations of the previous researches are the discrepancy in definitions of gaming disorder; the point that they are progressed under the premise of the concept of the disorder; a lack of the researches on the unique characteristics of the disorder; an inconsistency in persistency and prevalence of the disorder; and a lack of empirical researches. Finally, based on this analysis of the previous researches, we propose the necessity for a scientific evidence-based research plan and the researches on intervention, prevention, and subjects excepting adolescents for future researches.