Internet Gaming Disorder and Sleep Quality among Medical Residents in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia: A Cross sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is an emerging behavioural health concern globally, yet its association with sleep quality among medical residents in Saudi Arabia remains understudied. Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of IGD, assess sleep quality, and identify associated sociodemographic and lifestyle factors among medical residents in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 292 medical residents. Validated instruments included the Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD-20) questionnaire to assess gaming behaviour and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate sleep quality. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26, with statistical significance set at *p* < 0.05. Results: Among the 292 participants, 167 (57.2%) played online games, and the prevalence of disordered online gaming (IGD-20 cut-off ≥71) among gamers was 20.4% (n = 34). More than half of the total sample (55.5%) exhibited disturbed sleep (global PSQI score >5). Disordered online gaming was significantly associated with poorer subjective sleep quality (*p* = 0.006) and greater use of sleep medication (*p* = 0.005). The IGD-20 total score correlated positively with the global PSQI score (*r* = 0.268, *p* < 0.001), subjective sleep quality (*r* = 0.265, *p* = 0.001), and sleep disturbance (*r* = 0.202, *p* = 0.009). Playing online games was significantly associated with age (*p* = 0.002), gender (*p* < 0.001), marital status (*p* < 0.001), parenthood (*p* = 0.001), and caffeine consumption (*p* = 0.039). IGD-20 category was significantly associated with gaming duration on weekdays (*p* = 0.002) and weekends (*p* = 0.005). Conclusion: IGD was prevalent among medical residents in the Eastern Province and was significantly associated with poorer subjective sleep quality and greater use of sleep medication. These findings support consideration of targeted screening, awareness, and sleep-health education for residents, particularly those reporting prolonged gaming. However, causal inference is limited by the cross-sectional design and convenience sampling.