Previous large-scale studies suggest that internet gaming disorder (IGD) among children and adolescents has become an important public concern. Minors are known to be particularly susceptible to problematic internet gaming use owing to age-related underdevelopment of cognitive control. It has been shown that precursors of addictions appear during adolescence; therefore, prevention efforts must be established targeting minors who have their first experience with addictive substances and behaviors during pubescence. Since the DSM-5 classification of IGD in 2013, studies on IGD have drastically increased in number. Thus, we performed an updated review of studies of IGD in children and adolescents to assess the clinical implications of IGD. The search included all publication years, using PubMed, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO. Across studies, the presence of IGD had a negative effect on sleep and schoolwork in minors. Additionally, family factors, including the quality of parent-child relationships, were important social factors in minors with IGD. Brain imaging studies indicate that impaired cognitive control in minors with IGD is associated with abnormal function in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. Persistent pathological online game use from childhood may aggravate abnormal brain function; therefore, preventive care and early intervention are increasingly important. Although extant research supports the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for minors with IGD, effective psychological intervention for minors with IGD is an urgent issue that requires further research. This review, which presents updated findings of IGD in minors, is expected to contribute to the development of future research and be useful in clinical practice in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal psychosomatic disorder that often develops and worsens with stress. Hence, it is important to treat it from both, its physical and mental aspects. We reviewed recent research on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)—one of the most widely studied psychological treatments for IBS—since it focuses on addressing the cognitions and behaviors associated with IBS symptoms, and combines diverse content, such as cognitive techniques, exposure, stress management, and mindfulness, whose effects have been widely studied. Research on CBT for IBS varies not only in terms of content of the interventions, but also in terms of implementation (individual or group, face-to-face or online). Internet-delivered CBT has recently shown the possibility of providing more accessible and cost-effective psychological intervention to IBS patients in formats, other than face-to-face. In recent years, many standardized scales that allow for IBS-specific psychological assessments have been used in clinical studies of CBT for IBS. Tools that competently deliver effective interventions and properly measure their effectiveness are expected to spread to many people suffering from IBS.

Objective This study investigated the sociodemographic, behavioural and psychological characteristics of socially isolated individuals during the ‘mild lockdown’ period of COVID-19 in Japan. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting The seven prefectures where the emergency declaration was first applied in Japan. Participants We collected data on 11 333 individuals (52.4% women, 46.3±14.6 years) living in the seven prefectures where the emergency declaration was first applied. The online survey was performed between 11 May and 12 May 2020, in the final phase of the state of emergency. Primary outcome measures Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6) Results We found that male sex (95% CI 1.60 to 1.98), middle age (95% CI 1.55 to 1.93) and lower income (eg, annual household income <2.0 million: 95% CI 2.29 to 3.54) predicted social isolation; being a student was a protective factor against social isolation (95% CI 0.26 to 0.62). In the comparisons of each item of the LSNS-6 by sociodemographic characteristics, men were more likely to have fewer people to talk to about their personal problems (95% CI −0.37 to −0.28) and to seek help from (95% CI −0.39 to −0.30), and the middle-aged group had a lower social network of friends. Additionally, social isolation was associated with decreased online interaction with familiar people (95% CI −1.28 to −1.13) and decreased optimistic thinking under mild lockdown (95% CI −0.97 to −0.86). Conclusions We identified the sociodemographic and psychological characteristics associated with social isolation under mild lockdown. These results are expected to be a useful resource for identifying which groups may require intervention to improve their social interactions in order to preserve their mental health during the pandemic.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, functional gastrointestinal disorder. Because IBS often develops and worsens with stress, it requires treatment from both physical and mental perspectives. Recent years have seen increasing reports of its impact on the daily performance and productivity of workers with IBS, leading to sick leaves and lower quality of life. Therefore, this narrative review aimed to summarize the work and psychosocial characteristics of individuals with IBS. Main body: Workers with IBS report greater occupational stressors and work productivity impairments, including presenteeism or absenteeism, in addition to suffering from psychological distress, low quality of life, and medical and economic problems, similar to those with IBS in the general population. Anxiety about abdominal symptoms, as well as the severity of IBS, is related to the degree of interference with one’s work. Regarding the association between characteristics of work and IBS, shift work and job demands/discretion have been associated with IBS. Studies on specific occupations have revealed associations between IBS and various occupational stressors in healthcare workers, firefighters, and military personnel. Telecommuting, which has become increasingly popular during the coronavirus disease pandemic, has not found to improve IBS. Moreover, the effectiveness of medication, diet, and a comprehensive self-management program, including cognitive behavioral therapy, in improving the productivity of workers with IBS have been examined. Conclusion: As mentioned above, the IBS of workers is related not only to their problematic physical and mental health but also to work-related problems; workers with IBS exhibit severe occupational stress factors and work productivity impairment. Further research is required to develop efficient and appropriate interventions for workers.