| Sumario: | Objective: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) refers to persistent, recurrent, and excessive involvement with computer or video games that cannot be controlled, despite associated problems. Given that it has been relatively stable for several years, questionnaires measuring IGD need to demonstrate measurement invariance (i.e. consistency in its measurement properties when administrated repeatedly over time), to ensure accurate measurement over time. This longitudinal study examined invariance of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale 9-Short Form (IGDS9-SF5), which measures Internet gaming disorder (IGD) symptoms, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 criteria. Method: Participants were recruited from English speaking countries (e.g. Australia, USA, UK and Canada). A total of 276 adults (mean age = 31.86 years; SD = 9.94; males = 71%) provided responses to an online survey (including demographic questions and the IGDS9-SF) at three time points one year apart (2020/21/22). Results: When the chi-square difference (∆χ2) test was applied, the results supported configural invariance, full metric invariance, error variances, and invariance for all structural components (latent variances and covariances). However, scalar invariance was not observed for three item intercepts (tolerance, preoccupation, and giving up other activities). For all three items, the scores were higher at time 1 than time 2 and time 3. Conclusion: The findings indicate that IGDS9-SF observed scores across yearly intervals are generally free from scaling and measurement biases, making them reliable for monitoring the progression of IGD symptoms and evaluating clinical treatment effects over time. Key points: What is already known about this topic: The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale 9-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) is currently the most widely utilised questionnaire for assessing Internet gaming disorder. There is a lack of research on testing for measurement invariance of the IGDS9-SF. Internet gaming disorder can be a persistent issue across an individual's lifespan thus, measurements of Internet gaming disorder need to display invariance across a long time. What this topic adds: Overall, IGDS9-SF scores at different time intervals are not confounded by biases related to scaling and measurement issues. There is support for the IGDS9-SF to be utilised to monitor the developmental community of the IGD symptoms and clinical treatment effects over time. Three items (tolerance, preoccupation, and giving up other activities) lacked scalar invariance and should be interpreted with caution.
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