Autonomic stress reactivity and craving in individuals with problematic Internet use

Abstract

The link between autonomic stress reactivity and subjective urge/craving has been less systematically examined in behavioral addictions (i.e. problematic Internet use) than in substance use disorders. The present study investigated whether problematic Internet users (PU) show enhanced autonomic stress reactivity than non-PU, indexed by lower Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and higher Skin Conductance Level (SCL) reactivity during the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), whether greater reactivity is related to stronger Internet craving, and whether problematic Internet usage is associated with some dysfunctional psychological features. Based on their Internet Addiction Test scores, participants were divided into PU (N = 24) and non-PU (N = 21). Their heart rate and skin conductance were continuously recorded during baseline, social stressors, and recovery. Craving for Internet usage were collected using a Likert scale before and after the TSST. The SDNN, an overall measure of HRV, was significantly lower in PU than non-PU during baseline, but not during and after stressful task. Furthermore, only among PU a significant negative correlation emerged between SDNN during recovery and craving ratings after the test. No group differences emerged for SCL. Lastly, PU endorsed more mood, obsessive-compulsive, and alcohol-related problems. Our findings suggest that problems in controlling one’s use of the Internet may be related to reduced autonomic balance at rest. Moreover, our results provide new insights into the characterization of craving in PIU, indicating the existence of a relationship between craving for Internet usage and reduced autonomic flexibility.

Altered Heart Rate Variability During Gameplay in Internet Gaming Disorder: The Impact of Situations During the Game

“…To more accurately assess ANS function, it may be useful to measure HRV responses to particular stimuli as well as during the resting state, as this better reflects the ability of the ANS to respond appropriately and adaptively to environmental change ( 9 ). A previous study on Internet addiction showed that individuals with problematic Internet use had a lower standard deviation of the R-R interval (SDNN, reflects overall HRV levels) than non-problematic users during rest but not during and after the Trier social stress test (TSST) ( 10 ). This measure could be applied to assess HRV responses to gaming-related stimuli rather than general stress stimuli.…”

Psychosocial Functioning, BMI, and Nutritional Behaviors in Women at Cardiovascular Risk

“…Not surprisingly, heart rate variability is positively associated with the ability to regulate one’s eating behavior ( Meule et al, 2012a , b ). In fact, higher levels of sympathetic activation, as measured by decreased heart rate variability, may be associated with increased levels of craving and decreased self-regulation ( Quintana et al, 2013 ; Moretta and Buodo, 2018 ). Taken together, this suggests that as anxiety increases and heart rate variability decreases, one would expect to see a corresponding decrease in self-regulation and in the ability to resist unhealthy food cravings.…”

Patologías asociadas al uso problemático de internet. Una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis en WOS y Scopus

“…La relación del UPI con el abuso de alcohol ha sido estudiada por distintos autores, llegando a la conclusión de que existe cierta correlación positiva (Yau, Potenza y White, 2013;Bibbey et al, 2015;Rücker et al, 2015;Kim et al, 2016;Wartberg et al, 2016;Hricová, Paulisová y Orosová, 2016;Golpe et al, 2017;Morioka et al, 2017;Müller y Montag, 2017;De Vries et al, 2018;Moretta y Buodo, 2018;Grover et al, 2019). El instrumento de recogida de datos más utilizado para medir el abuso de alcohol ha sido The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), aplicado en 80 % de los casos.…”

“…La patología estrés ha sido estudiada por distintos trabajos que lo asocian con un UPI (Thomée, Härenstam y Hagberg, 2012;Derbyshire et al, 2013;Park, 2014;Bibbey et al, 2015;Dutta y Yen, 2017;Odaci y Çikrikci, 2017aOdaci y Çikrikci, , 2017bMoretta y Buodo, 2018;Liao, Chen y Lin, 2018;Grover et al, 2019). En cuanto a los instrumentos de recogida de datos, destaca Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (70 %), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), The Academic Expectations Stress Inventory (AESI) (10 %).…”