Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate relationship of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) symptom severity with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), while controlling the effects of depression, anxiety and neuroticism among young adults.

Method: The present study was conducted as a cross-sectional online self-report survey. The data were collected from 1010 volunteered Turkish university students in Ankara, people who were in the e-mail database of a company located in Istanbul that organizes e-sports tournaments (ESL Turkey Amateur e-sport players), and Turkish gamers from gaming forums. Participants were evaluated by applying the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short Form (IGDS-SF), neuroticism dimension of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised-Abbreviated Form (EPQR-A), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: Age and gender did not differ between those with NSSI (n=207, 20.5%) and those without NSSI (n=803, 79.5%). IGDS9-SF, depression, anxiety and neuroticism scores were higher among those with NSSI. In logistic regression analysis, severity of IGD predicted the presence of NSSI, together with depression, anxiety and neuroticism.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the severity of IGD is related with the presence of NSSI, together with depression, anxiety and neuroticism among young adults. Thus early detection and treatment of these risk factors is important for reduction of self-injurious behavior among young adults.