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Investigating the relationship between media multitasking and executive function within a military population.

Scott Marriner^1,2, Julie Cantelon³, Wade R Elmore³

¹United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, USA.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

|May 28, 2025

Summary

Media multitasking shows mixed effects on military executive function. While overall multitasking isn't linked, heavy media multitaskers performed worse on task-switching compared to average multitaskers.

Keywords:

Cognitive performance Executive function Media multitasking Self-regulation

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Military Psychology
Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

Media multitasking is prevalent, with research often showing negative links to executive function.
The cognitive demands of the modern military environment necessitate understanding these effects in service members.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between media multitasking behaviors and executive function in a military population.
To determine if self-regulation moderates the relationship between media multitasking and executive function in military personnel.

Main Methods:

Assessed self-reported media multitasking behaviors.
Utilized performance-based measures for executive function, including a task-switching paradigm.
Examined self-regulation as a potential moderator.

Main Results:

No significant overall relationship was found between media multitasking and executive function.
Average media multitaskers outperformed heavy media multitaskers in task-switching.
Self-regulation did not moderate the media multitasking-executive function relationship in this military sample.

Conclusions:

The impact of media multitasking on executive function in military members is complex and differs from civilian findings.
Specific patterns of media multitasking, rather than overall engagement, may be more relevant to cognitive performance in military contexts.