Personality dispositions, difficulty in emotion regulation and executive functioning impairments in individuals with...

Problematic Internet Use (PIU) and loss of control over activities on the internet has been recognized as a global public health concern. The present study examined the personality dispositions, difficulty in emotion regulation, and executive functioning in individuals with PIU.

This study employed a cross-sectional research design, consisting of two groups: (i) PIU group (Individuals with PIU seeking consultation at a tertiary center/technology deaddiction specialty clinic; n = 26) and non-PIU group (subjects from the community with non-problematic internet use; n = 26) matched on age (±1 year), education (±1 year) and gender. The participants were assessed using: Sociodemographic data sheet, Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Barratt's Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale- Short form (DERS-SF), Semi Structured Assessment for Genetics of Alcoholism-version II (SSAGA-II), The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory -Trait form only, Digit Span Test, Digit Vigilance Test (DVT), Color Trails Test, Stroop Color-Word Interference Test.

Individuals with PIU reported significantly higher externalizing scores, particularly in areas of inattention and impulsivity. They also showed elevated impulsiveness on the BIS, higher levels of trait anxiety, and greater difficulty with emotion regulation compared to the control group. They exhibited executive function deficits, including impaired sustained attention, reduced cognitive flexibility, and poor response inhibition.

The findings underscore the role of personality dispositions, difficulty in emotion regulation, and executive function deficits in individuals with PIU. Interventions designed to address these challenges, such as enhancing emotional regulation, working on impulsiveness, and strengthening cognitive control, may be effective for reducing problematic internet use.