Modelling the Contribution of Metacognitions, Impulsiveness, and Thought Suppression to Behavioural Addictions in Adolescents

Yaniv Efrati, Daniel C. Kolubinski, Claudia Marino and Marcantonio M. Spada
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Yaniv Efrati: Faculty of Education and Society and Culture, Beit-Berl College, Kfar Sava 4490500, Israel
Daniel C. Kolubinski: Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK
Claudia Marino: Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK
Marcantonio M. Spada: Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-21

Abstract: The most common behavioral addictions in adolescents are Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD), and Problematic Social Networks Use (PSNU). In the present study, we investigated whether thought suppression and impulsiveness mediate the relationship between metacognitions and these three behavioral addictions (IGD, CSBD and PSNU). In Study 1 ( n = 471), we examined whether online gaming thought suppression and impulsiveness mediate the relationship between metacognitions and IGD. In Study 2 ( n = 453), we examined whether sex thought suppression and impulsiveness mediate the relationship between metacognitions and CSBD. In Study 3 ( n = 1004), we examined whether social media thought suppression and impulsiveness mediate the relationship between metacognitions and PSNU. Results of path analysis indicated, across the three studies, the importance of both thought suppression and impulsiveness as mediators between metacognitions and the three behavioral addictions (IGD, CSBD and PSNU) being investigated. These findings provide an opportunity for therapists as well as educators to gain a better insight into the link between metacognitions, thought suppression, impulsiveness, and behavioral addictions as part of developmental behavior among adolescents.

Keywords: adolescents; compulsive sexual behavior disorder; impulsiveness; internet gaming disorder; metacognitions; problematic social networks use; thought suppression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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