Mid Sweden University

The study aims to investigate therapists and school counselors' views on gaming disorder as a future diagnosis and how gaming problems affects the Swedish secondary school from an intersectional perspective. The qualitative study involves three therapists and two school counselors who have come into contact with problematic gaming. The theories used are social constructivism, intersectionality and social learning. The results showed a positive attitude regarding the launching of gaming disorder as a diagnosis, such as an increase accessibility to treatment and more demands on research regarding gaming disorder. However, they expressed concern that the diagnosis could contribute to stigmatization. Further, the result showed an awareness that some groups such as people with functional variation, lower socioeconomic position and people who are of male gender, could be more exposed for and effected by gaming disorders. Finally, the study provides a knowledge base for the possible upcoming diagnosis and how the Swedish school and therapist could work with it.