The predictive role of working memory and impulsivity in internet addiction, an investigation about the mediating role of time perception

Abstract

The association between impulsivity and time perception is well established; however, this relationship has not been examined in Internet addiction disorders (IAD). Research on the role of human working memory and IAD suggests paradoxical findings. The working memory is a critical component in Scalar Expectancy Theory (SET). In the present study, self-reported measures on Internet addiction and impulsivity, as well as behavioral tasks on working memory and time perception were administered among 262 students, aged 15–32, to investigate whether time perception mediated the relations between impulsivity, working memory, and Internet addiction in the sample. Impulsivity predicted IAD positively, and working memory negatively predicted IAD and positively predicted time perception. Meanwhile, there were no significant indirect effects in the model, indicating only significant direct relations. Therefore, this study suggests that in short intervals (below five seconds), there was no relationship between impulsivity and time perception in IAD. Impulsive personalities and impaired cognitive functions may increase the risk of problematic Internet use. Such findings might have relevant implications on various prevention and treatment plans.