title: Dysfunctional inhibitory control and impulsivity in Internet addiction.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore a psychological profile of Internet addiction (IA) considering impulsivity as a key personality trait and as a key component of neuropsychological functioning. Twenty three subjects with IA (Young's Internet Addiction Test scores=70 or more) and 24 sex-, age-, and intelligence-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Participants filled out a questionnaire about trait impulsivity, the Trait Characteristic Inventory, depression, and anxiety. Next, we administered traditional neuropsychological tests including the Stroop et al. and computerized neuropsychological tests using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. The IA group exhibited more trait impulsivity than the healthy control group. They also scored higher for novelty seeking and harm avoidance. The IA group performed more poorly than the healthy control group in a computerized stop signal test, a test for inhibitory function and impulsivity; no group differences appeared for other neuropsychological tests. The IA group also scored higher for depression and anxiety, and lower for self-directedness and cooperativeness. In conclusion, individuals with IA exhibited impulsivity as a core personality trait and in their neuropsychological functioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Advanced Education for Clinician-Scientists, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Su Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Myoung-Sun
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jun-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chan-Bin
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ah Reum
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gwak
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Advanced Education for Clinician-Scientists, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Human Behavioral Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hyjung@snu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hee Yeon
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Jung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Impulsive personality trait; Impulsivity; Internet addiction; Neuropsychological test; Stop signal test