Cognitive Control Deficits in Specific Problematic Internet Uses: Insights From Clinically Validated Neurocognitive Assessments

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This multicenter German study systematically compares cognitive self-control abilities among individuals with pathological, risky, and nonproblematic internet use, focusing on four major PUI types—gaming, shopping, pornography, and social networking. It finds that pathological users exhibit significant deficits in executive functioning, decision-making, and stimulus-specific inhibitory control, which appear nuanced by the subtype of internet use disorder.

Self-reported measures, notably attentional impulsivity and self-directedness, differentiate risky users from nonproblematic users despite similar behavioral performance, suggesting early subjective awareness of control difficulties. These findings underscore the heterogeneity within PUI and have direct implications for designing targeted behavioral interventions.