Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers
Published on: November 9, 2019
Self-Control Abilities in Specific Types of Problematic Usage of the Internet: Findings From Clinically Validated
Silke M Müller1, Stephanie Antons1, Anna M Schmid1
1Department of General Psychology: Cognition, Faculty of Computer Science, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany (S.M. Müller, Antons, Kessling, Klein, Büsche, Oelker, Brandtner, Wegmann, Brand); Center for Behavioral Addiction Research (CeBAR), Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany (S.M. Müller, Antons, Büsche, Brandtner, Wegmann, Brand); Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Essen, Germany (S.M. Müller, Antons, Büsche, Brand); Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg, Germany (Schmid, Steins-Loeber); Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany (Thomas, Joshi, A. Müller); Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Germany (Krikova, Kampa, Klucken); Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany (Kampa, Stark); Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany (Mallon, Diers); Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group S:TEP (Substance Use and Related Disorders: Treatment, Epidemiology, and Prevention), University of Lübeck, Germany (Schmidt, Rumpf); Outpatient Clinic for Behavioral Addictions, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany (Dominick, Wölfling); Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Germany (Montag); Department of Cognitive Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany (Wolf).
Problematic Internet use (PUI) is linked to reduced self-control and cognitive deficits. Individuals with pathological PUI showed the weakest performance across cognitive tasks, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Reduced self-control is linked to cognitive deficits.
- Research on cognitive functions in problematic internet use (PUI) is limited.
- Understanding cognitive impacts of PUI is crucial for interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cognitive performance across different domains in individuals with and without specific PUI.
- To investigate deficits in executive functions, decision-making, and inhibitory control associated with PUI.
- To explore potential PUI-specific differences in cognitive impairments.
Main Methods:
- A large-scale, multicenter study in Germany (2021-2024).
- Comparison of three groups: pathological PUI (N=284), risky PUI (N=305), and nonproblematic users (N=424).
- Assessment using structured interviews for PUI types (gaming, shopping, pornography, social media) and extensive laboratory testing including cognitive tasks (e.g., Stroop, delay discounting, go/no-go).
Main Results:
- Significant differences in self-control abilities (behavioral and self-report) were observed between groups.
- Pathological PUI group exhibited the poorest performance in all cognitive tasks.
- Risky and nonproblematic groups showed minimal behavioral differences but differed in self-reported self-directedness and impulsivity.
Conclusions:
- PUI is associated with deficits in executive functions, decision-making, and inhibitory control, potentially worsening with addiction progression.
- PUI-specific cognitive differences necessitate tailored training and intervention strategies.
- Addressing cognitive impairments is key for managing PUI and improving self-control.
More Related Videos
09:14Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: March 14, 2025
10:51Real-time fMRI Biofeedback Targeting the Orbitofrontal Cortex for Contamination Anxiety
Published on: January 20, 2012
Related Concept Videos
Self-Regulation
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
Information Processing Approach