ADHD and Problematic Social Media Use and Gaming
ADHD Symptoms and Problematic Digital Media Use
In this study, we examined whether cognitive mechanisms could help explain the relationship between ADHD symptoms and problematic digital media use. Specifically, we tested key variables from the Triple Pathway Model: inhibition, time processing, and reward sensitivity. We aimed to investigate whether these factors mediated the link between ADHD symptoms and problematic social media use and problematic gaming.
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We recruited 110 participants, primarily young adults with some late adolescents, who participated in a laboratory study at the University of Amsterdam. Participants completed questionnaires and cognitive performance tasks, providing both self-report and behavioral data to strengthen the reliability of the findings.
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No evidence was found for mediation through inhibition, time processing, or reward sensitivity. However, exploratory analyses suggested that different domains of ADHD symptoms — inattention and hyperactivity — may have distinct associations with problematic digital media use.
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This study was conducted with full ethical approval from the Ethics Review Board of the University of Amsterdam.
Study I
Title
: ADHD Symptoms
Category
: Lab Study
Research Year
Location
: 2025
: Netherlands
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