A systematic review of metacognitions in Internet Gaming Disorder and problematic Internet, smartphone and social networking sites use

Abstract

Background: The use of new technologies is growing, and some authors have suggested that frequent use might hide a non-chemical addiction (i.e., technological addiction). Over the last 5 years, several studies investigating the role of metacognitions in technological addictions have been published. We aim to provide the first systematic review focused on this topic, by updating the initial evidence highlighted by a previous systematic review on metacognitions across addictive behaviours (Hamonniere & Varescon, 2018). Methods: Electronic literature databases (Pubmed, PsychINFO, SCOPUS and Web of Science) were searched to identify studies that examined the relationship between metacognitions and four different technological addictions (Internet Gaming Disorder, IGD; problematic Internet use, PIU; problematic smartphone use, PSU; and problematic social networking sites use, PSNSU). Results: We found 13 empirical studies published between 2018 and 2021. Positive low to moderate cross-sectional associations between the four technological addictions and both generic and specific metacognitions were found, in accordance with the metacognitive model of addictive behaviours. Positive beliefs about worry, negative beliefs about thoughts concerning uncontrollability and danger, beliefs about the need to control thoughts and a lack of cognitive confidence were associated with IGD, PIU, PSU and PSNSU. Conclusions: The absence of longitudinal studies prevents us from providing definitive answers about the role of metacognitions in technological addictions. Despite this limitation, interventions that target metacognitions could be beneficial for people presenting with technological addictions.

The Mediating Roles of Time Management and Learning Strategic Approach in the Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Academic Procrastination

“…2 Smartphone overuse can lead to problematic smartphone usage or smartphone addiction. 3 Smartphone addiction is a new type of behavioral addiction in which “individuals spend most of their time scrolling, watching, liking, commenting, stalking and talking to their friends through different mobile applications”. 1 Considering the high prevalence of smartphone addiction among college students, many researchers and educators have focused on the relationship between smartphone addiction and college students’ academic problems, such as academic procrastination.…”

Integrating Desire Thinking into the I-PACE Model: a Special Focus on Internet-Use Disorders

“…Similar to how metacognitions describe beliefs about cognitive strategies in regulating inner cognitive-affective states, use expectancies refer to the evaluation of an anticipated behavioral outcome and are beliefs that a specific behavior or activity might regulate these states [81,82]. The term metacognitive beliefs is also used to describe beliefs about certain coping strategies (e.g., [83,84]) that equally subsume behaviors and cognitive styles. This, however, creates a discrepancy between the mere definition of metacognitions (cognition about cognition) and its application in certain contexts (e.g., cognition about the usefulness of a certain behavior).…”

Modelling the contribution of metacognitions and expectancies to problematic smartphone use

“…Several studies have empirically supported that metacognitions are implicated in addictive behaviors, including problematic drinking and smoking dependence (Nik cevi c & Spada, 2010;Spada, Caselli, & Wells, 2009;Spada, Nik cevi c, Moneta, & Wells, 2007), gambling (Spada, Giustina, Rolandi, Fernie, & Caselli, 2015;Spada & Roarty, 2015), problematic online gaming (POG; Akbari, Bahadori, Milan, Caselli, & Spada, 2021;Aydın, G€ uçl€ ua, € Unal-Aydına, & Spada, 2020;, generalized problematic Internet use (PIU; Casale, Caplan, & Fioravanti, 2016;Spada, Langston, Nik cevi c, & Moneta, 2008), problematic social networking site use (PSNSU; Casale, Rugai, & Fioravanti, 2018;Marino et al, 2019;€ Unal-Aydın, Obuca, Aydın, & Spada, 2021), and problematic smartphone use (PSU; Akbari, Zamani, Fioravanti, & Casale, 2021;Casale, Caponi, & Fioravanti, 2020). The available systematic reviews (Casale, Music o, & Spada, 2021;Hamonniere & Varescon, 2018) broadly support the contention that positive metacognitions are linked to the engagement in a certain behavior, whilst negative metacognitions are linked to the escalation of addictive behavior. When it comes to technological addictions (e.g., POG, PSNSU) metacognition appear to play a role as a robust mediating factor in the association between psychological risk factors (e.g., anxiety, depressive symptoms) and the compulsive use of technology.…”