Mark D Griffiths

Nottingham Trent University | NTU · Psychology Department

Aim: This study aimed to examine the co-morbidity and temporal relationship between substance abuse disorders (SUDs) and gambling disorder (GD). Method: Cross-tabulated census data were retrieved from the Norwegian Patient Registry. The data included the number of patients by year of first-time incidence of GD and/or SUD diagnoses, age and sex from...

The 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) formally recognized gaming disorder as an addictive health disorder like gambling disorder. The ICD-11 assumes that excessive online gaming can lead to functional/clinical impairments and psychological distress among a minority of individuals. The present study investigated...

The present study is the first to examine account-based tracking data of Portuguese online lottery players comprising the gambling activity of all active players over a one-year period (N = 154,585). The main research goal was the identification of groups or segments of players by their engagement levels (high, neutral, low) and to assess preferenc...

The present study sought to provide empirical evidence for the sequential mediating role of social comparison orientation and fear of missing out (FoMO) in the relationship between self-concept clarity (SCC) and problematic smartphone use (PSU) within the framework of the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model. A sample of...

Mukbang watching (i.e., watching eating broadcasts) is an emerging online behaviour that has recently gained popularity. Although, there are a number of positive impacts of recreational mukbang watching (e.g., helping overcome loneliness), for a minority of individuals, excessive mukbang watching may turn into problematic (i.e., addictive) mukbang...

The internet has facilitated significant transformations in interpersonal interactions, and offers new possibilities for finding romantic partners through the use of online dating apps. However, as with other technology-based tools, some individuals can develop problematic patterns of dating apps use, exhibiting symptoms resembling addiction. Conse...

Background and aim: Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) is consistently associated with problematic social media use (PSMU). Moreover, previous studies have shown a significant association between FoMO, self-esteem, and social comparison. However, there is a lack of studies that have investigated the relationship between, FoMO, social comparison, self-estee...

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) refers to potential positive outcomes following exposure to trauma and may have been experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study investigated the mediating role of emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal) and self-compassion in the relationship between spirituality and PTG. The sample comprised 700 pati...

Despite being validated in different populations to assess fear of COVID-19, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) has scatter validations in healthcare professionals, often with several limitations, especially in Spanish-speaking professionals. Our research aims to extend previous studies by: (i) using a large sample of Spanish nurses and physician...

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion-Vol.26, No.4, 2024-Table of Contents.On the Cover:This study explored how mental health professionals collaborate with peer supporters with mental disabilities in a community mental health institution. From January 19 to February 23, 2021, three 60-minute interviews were conducted with six mental hea...

Objectives Research regarding the contribution of specific psychoactive substances to suicidality has yielded equivocal results. The present study examined the prevalence and factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors among a population-based sample of untreated illicit substance users. Methods A total of 616 illicit substance users w...

Introduction: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is used to thoroughly assess and identify complex healthcare problems among older adults. However, administration of CGA is time-consuming and labor intensive. A simple screening tool with the mnemonic “FIND-NEEDS” was developed to quickly identify common geriatric conditions. The present study...

The present review aimed to synthesize the empirical evidence regarding the association between problematic pornography use (PPU) and mental health. A comprehensive literature search using keywords and subject headings was performed with three electronic databases, resulting in 20 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The patterns of association...

The prevalence of online gambling and the potential for related harm necessitate predictive models for early detection of problem gambling. The present study expands upon prior research by incorporating a cross-country approach to predict self-reported problem gambling using player-tracking data in an online casino setting. Utilizing a secondary da...

The rapid development of internet technology has substantially improved individuals’ social media use. However, a minority group of individuals may experience social media addiction. In order to help healthcare providers in Algeria identify potential individuals with social media addiction, the present study translated a commonly used instrument (i...

Background Approximately one in five pregnant women experience antenatal depression globally. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of antenatal depression and explore its relationship between various demographic variables, recent sexual engagement, and recent adverse life events among pregnant Afghan women. Methods A cro...

Background Depression, anxiety, and stress are psychological mood states that have close relationships. Moreover, they are influenced by situational factors such as living in conflict zones (e.g., Afghanistan). The World Health Organization's assessment suggests that a significant proportion, specifically one-tenth, of the population residing in ar...

Background: In recent years, there has been increased research interest in both smartphone addiction and social media addiction as well as the development of psychometric instruments to assess these constructs. However, there is a lack of psychometric evaluation for instruments assessing smartphone addiction and social media addiction in Thailand....

In recent decades, hypertension has become the foremost risk factor for disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The present study investigated the relationship between quality of life, depression, and hypertension among hospitalized patients in Afghanistan. A cross-sectional survey was administered from September 3, 2022, to February 2, 2023, in th...

Very little research has simultaneously explored the interactions between generalized problematic internet use (GPIU), problematic social media use (PSMU), problematic online gaming (POG), psychological distress, and emotional well-being among university students. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine (i) the associations between GPIU, PS...

Background and aims The present study aimed to synthesize existing quantitative evidence on the relationship between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and academic achievement with a focus on quantifying its magnitude and examining its potential moderators. Methods Eligible studies were searched for up to February 10, 2023 in six different database...

The rise of online sports betting, facilitated by technological innovations such as the cash-out feature, has transformed the gambling landscape. While cash-outs have been suggested to intensify problematic gambling behaviors, empirical studies to date have been correlational, leaving a gap in determining causal evidence. In the present Registered...

Burnout among esports players is a serious issue affecting competitive and professional players. The present study investigated the relationship between resilience, coping, and burnout among esports players using network analysis. Esports players (N = 453; M age = 23.0 years, SD = 4.18; in the top 40% of in-game rank) who competed in one of seven p...

Background: Addressing mental health of diabetic pregnant women is important as it might increase the chance of obstetric complications, preterm birth, and neonatal complications. Aim: The present study investigated the prevalence of anxiety and depression among pregnant women with diabetes and their predictors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was...

The Assessment of Criteria for Specific Internet-use Disorder (ACSID-11) is a psychometric instrument assessing different types of problematic internet use. The aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the traditional Chinese version and evaluate whether the traditional Chinese version showed similar and robust psychome...

Background: Anxiety is one of the most common psychological disorders among school-aged children and adolescents. The main objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and sleep disturbance and their association with academic performance among female school students in Herat, Afghanistan. Methods: A cross-sec...

Background: The present cross-sectional survey study examined the mental health of Afghans living under the Taliban government. It examined the underlying factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. Methods: Between June 5, 2023 and February 12, 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted among the Afghan population in three key region...

Introduction Empirical studies have demonstrated the role that attentional bias, the mutual excitatory relationship between attentional bias and craving, and mentalizing play in problem gambling. Although problem gambling rates among older-aged adults have steadily increased in recent years, research studies among this cohort are scarce. The presen...

Background The use of social media has become an important part individuals’ daily lives and is used in many daily life activities, such as social interaction, education, and shopping. However, with the increase in the use of social media, a minority of individuals can experience problematic use (and in extreme cases, ‘social media addiction’). The...

A meta-analysis was performed to determine pooled prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicide behaviors (including ideation, attempts), and associated risk factors among runaway and homeless youth (RHY). The databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies published from January 1995 to Ma...

Purpose The present study investigated the contribution of internet addiction (IA) as a mediator in the relationships between time spent online on early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and life satisfaction (LS) among a sample of Iranian adults. Methods The sample comprised 489 Iranian adults aged 19 to 62 years who completed an online survey. The data...

As research on gaming disorder (GD) is growing globally, the need for a valid and reliable instrument to assess GD has become crucial. Therefore, the present cross-sectional study translated and evaluated the psychometric properties of Gaming Disorder Test (GDT) and Gaming Disorder Scale for Young Adults (GADIS-YA) into Malay language versions. The...

There is accumulating evidence that mukbang (i.e., eating broadcasts) watching may be another emerging online behaviour that has the potential to become uncontrolled and harmful among a small number of individuals. However, there is still a large gap in the literature regarding the psychological and mental health predictors of problematic mukbang w...

Background and aims: The World Health Organization recently announced an action plan to increase global physical activity (PA) levels due to individuals' increasingly inactive lifestyle. Perceived weight stigma (PWS) is a psychosocial factor that may reduce individuals' PA, and PA avoidance may be involved in this association. Therefore, the presen...

Objective: The general aim of the present study was the exploration of the relationships between childhood trauma subdimensions (physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect), unbalanced family functioning patterns (disengaged, enmeshed, rigid, and chaotic), and love addiction. Method: A sample of 910 indiv...

Despite growing concerns regarding the development of gaming disorder symptoms among adolescents, the longitudinal relationship between school factors and gaming disorder symptoms remains far from being fully understood. This two-year longitudinal study examined the relationship between school climate perceptions, academic achievement, and gaming d...

Background: Many situations in life remain beyond an individual’s control. Despite this, little research has focused on individual differences in tolerance of uncontrollability. The purpose of the present study was to translate and validate a Persian version of the Tolerance of Uncontrollability Questionnaire (TOUQ). Methods: The scale was translat...

Intolerance of uncertainty can adversely affect wellbeing. However, little is known about the role of doomscrolling in this relationship. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the associations between intolerance of uncertainty and mental wellbeing, as well as moderation and mediation analysis included doomscrolling. The sample...

The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges for individuals who experienced stroke and their caregivers. It is essential to understand the factors affecting preventive behavior in these populations. Therefore, the present study examined the factors that influenced COVID-19 preventive behavior and motivation for COVID-19 vaccine uptake am...

Background Previous studies have associated videogame playing and social media use with suicidal behaviors together with lower stress coping or poor emotion regulation strategies. Due to the inconclusive evidence regarding the factors associated with suicidal behavior, the present study aimed to overcome the limitations of previous research and e...

Suicidal ideation among medical students has become a growing concern, yet it remains a neglected public mental health issue in Bangladesh. This brief paper examines the extant literature on suicide behaviors among Bangladeshi medical students. Data from Bangladesh regarding suicide behaviors among medical students is scarce but of concern. In comp...

Background and Aim: Couples’ sexual communication is one of the contributing factors to the quality of couples’ sexual relationships. The aim of the present study was to psychometrically evaluate the Persian version of the Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale (DSCS) among married women of reproductive age. Methods: In this psychometric study, transla...

Objective To examine the effectiveness of nutritional education based on the health action process approach (HAPA) on pregnancy outcomes among malnourished pregnant mothers utilizing nutritional support. Methods In a randomized controlled trial, 234 malnourished pregnant women under nutritional support from the fourth month of pregnancy participat...

Abstract Background: Medical health practitioners, particularly those working in cancer units, are vulnerable to poor psychological outcomes. The present study was designed to examine the influence of workplace bullying on the mental health of medical and paramedical staff by testing workplace burnout as a mediating factor. Methods: Utilizing a cro...

The present study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS) among university students living in Hong Kong to assess weight and body image concerns. A convenience sample of 787 students (63.5% females; 24.5% overweight) were recruited online. The factor structure of the scale was examine...

Physical exercise is a widely recommended practice for promoting health, but for some individuals, this activity can result in pathological and morbid behaviour. Therefore, the study of the factors contributing to the onset, development, and progression of exercise addiction is particularly relevant. Within this framework, the present study assesse...

Background: The present study examined (i) the potential differentiated relationship between three forms of social comparison previously identified as particularly relevant within the context of eating disorders (EDs) (i.e., those related to body, eating, and exercise) and depressive symptomatology among adolescents, and (ii) whether this relations...

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the association between cigarette smoking, waterpipe smoking, and co-morbidity diseases on hearing loss. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1015 patients [386 males (38%) and 629 females (62%)] who were aged are between 25 and 65 years. The study used clinical, physical e...

Shame and fear of stigma represent barriers which prevent many gamblers from seeking help. To overcome some of these obstacles, new types of professional help have emerged, based on use of telephone and information technology. The aim of this study was to offer an overview of the characteristics of high-risk gamblers who entered an internet-deliver...

One of the factors contributing towards a better understanding of social media addiction and internet addiction among university students is family-of-origin experiences. Triangling is one of the factors associated with these online addictions. Moreover, university students with higher experiential avoidance (lower psychological flexibility) may fa...

Tolerance, one of the key features of addiction, is a highly debated criterion for behaviors, considered controversial and difficult to assess. The Incentive-Sensitization Theory of Addiction (IST) provides a robust empirical background on the dynamics of the motivational and hedonic systems underlying addiction, reflecting tolerance. The aim of th...

Plain Language Summary Smartphones have arguably become a common necessity in modern society. While it can be used for many practical purposes, its many features increase the risk of overuse, a key element in behavioural addiction. The present study examined withdrawal-related symptoms during a smartphone restriction period, lasting 72 hours. The p...

Keywords Abstract Digital addiction Digital device Child-digital device interaction Turkish children Although, digital devices have numerous applications that children can benefit from, they may cause specific problems such as addiction. There are many empirical studies assessing digital addictions among Turkish adolescents and young adults. Howeve...

A number of scholars have argued that online gambling can be more problematic than land-based gambling. Motivating gamblers to withdraw money from their online gambling account could lower losses because there would be less money available to lose. Therefore, the present study investigated whether personalized messages are an effective way of ‘nudg...

Objective Social media addiction and internet gaming disorder may cause mental health problems among a minority of university students. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) and the 9-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) are commonly used worldwide. However, they have not been translated or validated into Indonesian....

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of experiencing work-related stress, burnout syndrome, and depression, especially during infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19. Contributing factors include increased workload, lack of personal protective equipment, and inadequate support from the healthcare administration. Longitudinal stu...

Gambling problems have consistently been linked to suicidality, including suicidal ideation, attempts, and suicide. However, the magnitude of the relationship has varied significantly across studies and the potential causal link between gambling problems and suicidality is currently unclear. A meta-analytic literature review was conducted to (a) sy...

The aim of the present study was to examine the mediating role of perceived online shopping convenience in the relationship between consumers’ fear of COVID-19 and online shopping intention. The data were collected from 732 consumers via an online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and mediation analyses were performed to...

Research has shown that religion can play a protective role in diverse risky behaviors among young people. However, very little is known about the effect of religion in gambling , especially among young problem gamblers. A strong moral belief regarding gambling may prevent adolescents and young adults engaging in gambling and developing problems. N...

Background: In recent decades, hypertension has become the foremost risk factor for disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The present study investigated the association between hypertension and quality of life, as well as the association between hypertension and depression among hospitalized patients in Afghanistan. Methods: A cross-sectional sur...

Introduction Intrinsic capacity (IC) is a multidimensional indicator proposed by the World Health Organization that encompasses mental and physical capacities associated with functional ability. With the help of IC, different pathways of aging can be better understood, and heterogeneity can be captured more effectively. Before IC can be clinically...

Aims The aims of the study were to examine the differential item functioning (DIF) of the Tendency of Avoiding Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS) among three subgroups (gender, weight status, and region) and to test the construct and concurrent validities of the scale. Methods Using an online survey, university students (608 Taiwanese and 2...

Nomophobia (the fear of being without a mobile phone or being unable to use it) is an area of growing research interest. The 20-item Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) is the most popular instrument to assess nomophobia. However, there is no validated scale to assess nomophobia in Bangladesh. The present study translated and validated the NMP-Q into...

Introduction Gaming disorder (GD) is the result of an interplay between gaming-related factors, individual factors, and environmental factors. Current research primarily highlights single types of factors. Consequently, the present study simultaneously analyzed the role of individual factors, such as self-control dimensions and motives for gaming,...

Background and aims Gaming disorder [GD] risk has been associated with the way gamers bond with their visual representation (i.e., avatar) in the game-world. More specifically, a gamer's relationship with their avatar has been shown to provide reliable mental health information about the user in their offline life, such as their current and prospec...

Background The eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) defines the three key diagnostic criteria for gaming disorder (GD). These are loss of control over gaming, gaming as a priority over daily activities, and impaired functioning due to gaming. While this definition has implications for the prevention and treatme...

Background The benefits of physical activity are well-known to prevent multiple long-term health conditions. Physical appearance and weight-related stigma may influence individuals’ decision to engage in physical activity and sport. Therefore, the present study examined the psychometric properties of a newly developed instrument, the Tendency to Av...

As observed in other mental health difficulties, behavioural addiction is a complex construct with several potential predisposing factors, which include biological factors (e.g., genetic predispositions), psychological factors (e.g., personality traits), and social factors (e.g., family, and social history). One factor that may play a significant r...

Previous literature has suggested that victimization is linked to low self-esteem and increases the symptoms of gaming disorder. However, little is known about the intra-individual processes, and the temporal dynamics of cyber-victimization, self-esteem, and gaming disorder symptoms. To address this gap, a three-year longitudinal study was performe...

Background The study investigated ethnicity as a risk factor for gambling disorder (GD), controlling for demographics, citizenship, and years of residency in Norway. Methods The sample comprised 65,771 individuals from a national patient registry (n = 35,607, age range 18–88 years) and a national social insurance database in Norway (n = 30,164, ag...

Aims: To compare adolescents clinically diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and problematic internet use (PIU) in terms of cyberbullying, aggression, and loneliness. Methods: Male adolescent patients (N=124, 14.3±1.7 years) with Internet Addiction Scale (IAS) scores ≥50 were clinically interviewed for IGD in utilizing DSM-5 criteria. P...

Robert Merton (1968) coined the term “The Matthew Effect in Science” to explain by biblical analogy how famous scientists are sometimes credited more than those who are lesser known but more deserving. Leading Darwin scholars have admitted Patrick Matthew (1831) originated the theory he uniquely called the “natural process of selection”, which Char...

Background and aims The aim of the present study was to examine the mental representations of the use of different substances and other potentially addictive behaviors in order to explore meaningful similarities and differences that may contribute to a better understanding of behavioral addictions’ representations and diagnostic criteria. Methods...

The present systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the prevalence, sociodemographic factors, mental health disorders, and type of drug use disorders associated with problem/pathological gambling among individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). Published studies before January 1, 2023, were reviewed. Out of 8351 papers initially identife...

Binge gambling is a relatively under-explored area and the few published studies have all used self-report data (i.e. surveys and interviews). The use of account-based tracking data has increasingly been used to identify indicators of problem gambling. However, no previous study has ever used tracking data to operationalize and explore binge gambli...

Given that there is limited evidence concerning the psychometric properties of DASS-21 when applied to primary school students, the present study undertook a comprehensive exploration of the psychometric evidence supporting the use of the DASS-21 within this demographic. The research comprised three studies. In Study 1, the basic psychometric prope...

Background: Self-care can include the activities that individuals perform in accordance with their needs to maintain and promote their health. Puberty is the most important change that comes with adolescence, which necessitates adolescents to become aware of their sexual and reproductive health. Objectives: The objective of the present study was to...

Esports gambling has steadily grown in popularity alongside esports itself. While research has been increasing in the field of esports-related gambling, no study has yet reviewed the relevant literature on esports gambling. The present study aimed to comprehensively review all empirical research conducted in the wider field of esports gambling. A s...

Background During the period of adolescence, several major developmental changes occur that can have significant impact on an individual’s brain structure and functioning through their entire life. Aims The present study aimed to examine the association between depression and self-esteem alongside specific sociodemographic factors among school-goi...

Introduction Preventative factors in young people’s physical inactivity require further understanding, including related psychosocial factors (eg, body image and weight stigma). The Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS) is a recently developed instrument to address this issue and the present study examined its psychometric pro...

Background Untangling the association between gambling disorder (GD) and income is complex. Financial strain is often a consequence of GD. At the same time GD is more prevalent in the context of poverty, suggesting income may be a risk marker for GD. Aims The aim of the present study was to investigate whether income is a risk marker for GD and wh...