Associations between executive functions and problematic social networking sites use

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Digital Health

Background:

• Problematic internet use, particularly social networking sites (SNS), is a growing research area.
• Limited empirical research exists on the relationship between problematic SNS use and Executive Functions (EF).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between problematic SNS use and specific aspects of EF, namely cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control.
• To determine if EF deficits are linked to problematic social media engagement.

Main Methods:

• 284 participants completed sociodemographic forms, the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST).
• WCST measures cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control, while BSMAS assesses problematic SNS use.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in overall WCST performance were found between problematic and non-problematic SNS users.
• However, specific WCST subtests (Categories Achieved and Perseverative Errors) correlated with the 'relapse' score and total score on the BSMAS in the problematic SNS use group.
• Regression analysis indicated that WCST performance was associated with the 'relapse' aspect of problematic SNS use.

Conclusions:

• A potential association exists between Executive Functions and problematic social networking sites use.
• Improving cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control could help reduce issues related to relapse in excessive SNS engagement.