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The researchers also found that the more video gaming performed by these children, the lower their social competence and the greater their impulsiveness ("impulsivity", or behavior initiated without adequate forethought).

In addition, they found that depression, anxiety, social phobias, and lower school performance was seen as more likely outcomes in children with tendencies of pathological video gaming.

They concluded: 'This study adds important information to the discussion about whether video game "addiction" is similar to other addictive behaviors, demonstrating that it can last for years and is not solely a symptom of comorbid disorders.'

Dr. Gentile, who runs the Media Research Lab at Iowa State University, said in the January 17, 2011 Medical News Today article 'Video Game Addiction Tied To Depression, Social Problems And Poorer Grades In School': "'¦ those problems seem to increase as children become more addicted."

The study was also authored by Hyekyung Choo (National University of Singapore), Albert Liau Angeline Khoo, and Dongdong Li (all from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore), Timothy Sim (Hong Kong Polytechnic University), and Daniel Fung (Institute of Mental Health, Singapore).