Modelling the Contribution of Metacognitions, Impulsiveness, and Thought Suppression to Behavioural Addictions in Adolescents.

Yaniv Efrati,Daniel C Kolubinski,Claudia Marino,Marcantonio M Spada

doi:10.3390/ijerph18073820

Abstract

The most common behavioral addictions in adolescents are Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD), and Problematic Social Networks Use (PSNU). In the present study, we investigated whether thought suppression and impulsiveness mediate the relationship between metacognitions and these three behavioral addictions (IGD, CSBD and PSNU). In Study 1 (n = 471), we examined whether online gaming thought suppression and impulsiveness mediate the relationship between metacognitions and IGD. In Study 2 (n = 453), we examined whether sex thought suppression and impulsiveness mediate the relationship between metacognitions and CSBD. In Study 3 (n = 1004), we examined whether social media thought suppression and impulsiveness mediate the relationship between metacognitions and PSNU. Results of path analysis indicated, across the three studies, the importance of both thought suppression and impulsiveness as mediators between metacognitions and the three behavioral addictions (IGD, CSBD and PSNU) being investigated. These findings provide an opportunity for therapists as well as educators to gain a better insight into the link between metacognitions, thought suppression, impulsiveness, and behavioral addictions as part of developmental behavior among adolescents.

Highlights

Behavioral addictions are a series of syndromes that are both identifiable and clinically significant, typically interfering with personal functioning as a consequence of engaging in compulsive rewarding behaviors that are not related to the use of addictive substances [1].Typically, those suffering from behavioral addictions display chronic symptoms such as cravings, excessive tolerance, withdrawal, and impulsiveness
Aside from examining the proposed model in which metacognitions lead to thought suppression and impulsiveness, which in turn are associated with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) and Problematic Social Networks Use (PSNU), in the current research we examine whether the model stands after controlling for two background measures that were found to play a key role in addictive behaviors—religiosity and gender
With respect to the control variables, religious affiliation was positively associated with thought suppression and negatively associated with impulsiveness, whereas gender was negatively associated with IGD, and age was negatively associated with both the mediators (Figure 2)

Summary

Introduction

Behavioral addictions are a series of syndromes that are both identifiable and clinically significant, typically interfering with personal functioning as a consequence of engaging in compulsive rewarding behaviors that are not related to the use of addictive substances [1]. Those suffering from behavioral addictions display chronic symptoms such as cravings, excessive tolerance, withdrawal, and impulsiveness. These can eventually have considerable adverse effects on an individual’s social, financial, and legal situation [2].

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