Yeliz AKTAŞ, Huri YOĞURTCU
Addicta The Turkish Journal On Addictions - 2026;13(3):419-433
The symptomatic manifestations of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) represent a risk factor for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). With the increasing prevalence of digital gaming, the coexistence of ADHD and IGD has emerged as a significant mental health concern. This systematic review aims to evaluate case-control and experimental studies investigating the associations between ADHD and IGD. Guided by a research question structured within the PICOS framework, a search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, yielding 15 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies focused on adolescent and young adult samples, while five employed neuroimaging methods. Findings indicate that individuals diagnosed with ADHD demonstrate significantly higher prevalence and severity of IGD compared to healthy controls; similarly, individuals with IGD present more frequent and pronounced ADHD symptoms. Neuroimaging data reveal structural and functional alterations in prefrontal and temporal regions. Furthermore, factors such as impulsivity, sleep disturbances, negative parenting styles, and poor social adjustment appear to exacerbate the severity of this comorbidity. Intervention studies report lower treatment responsiveness among individuals with ADHD+IGD comorbidity. Overall, the findings highlight a strong bidirectional relationship between the two disorders, grounded in both neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms, and underscore the importance of early diagnosis and comprehensive intervention strategies.
