The occurrence of the COVID-19-virus led to drastic short-term measures to reduce its spread and influence. Regulations such as “physical distancing,” mentioned as “social distancing,” and the closure of public facilities during the lockdown could be perceived as burdensome especially by individuals who feel a strong need for social exchange and belonging. These components such as need to belong and the fear of missing out also play a major role in the development and maintenance of a problematic use of social networks. Researchers have argued recently that an increase of addictive (online) behaviors may be a likely consequence of subjectively experienced restrictions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study investigates the interplay of perceived strain due to COVID-19-related restrictions and the fear of missing out (FoMO) as well as of symptoms of problematic social-networks use. We hypothesized that perceived strain due to COVID-19-related restrictions mediates the effect of specific predisposing variables related to social needs on the symptom severity of a problematic use. To assess the perceived strain due to COVID-19-related restrictions, we developed a specific questionnaire asking for perceived COVID-19-related strain in several domains of everyday-life. An exploratory factor analysis identified five factors: perceived strain related to restrictions of (1) social contacts, (2) travel, (3) childcare, (4) work, and (5) own health. In a sample of 719 German participants and data collection during the first COVID-19 lockdown (March 30th until April 3rd 2020), a structural equation model was calculated showing that higher levels of need to belong and FoMO increase perceived COVID-19-related strain, which is related to symptoms of a problematic social-networks use. The effect of need to belong on problematic social-networks use is mediated by experienced COVID-19-related strain and FoMO-online. Even if the use of social networks is not pathological per se, it may be associated with suffering for a vulnerable part of users. We conclude that specific needs and fear-associated predisposing variables contribute to experiencing physical distance and other pandemic-related restrictions as more stressful, which may increase problematic social-networks use and potentially other addictive behaviors as well in the context of the COVID-19-related lockdown.

Psychological core processes that underpin disorders due to addictive behaviors, including craving, inhibitory control, maladaptive decision-making, and cognitive biases, are important factors to target and modify in interventions. Mindfulness-based and neurofeedback techniques have been particularly promising interventions. The aim of the present systematic review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42020200113) was to evaluate the research evidence on their effectiveness for behavioral addictions. Empirical intervention studies in the realm of nonsubstance addictive behaviors fulfilled the inclusion criteria, which led to 15 studies and 297 participants being included in this review among PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge. Results suggest that mindfulness-based interventions are effective in reducing mental distress and craving reactions. Reductions in craving levels were reported in four of six studies with biggest effects for mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy. Successful reductions in mental distress were identified in five of seven studies that used diverse mindfulness-based techniques. However, no more than one study on mindfulness-based interventions reporting improvements in self-control, inhibitory control, maladaptive decision-making, and cognitive biases could be identified. No research could be found on neurofeedback. This review highlights the potential of mindfulness interventions for these disorders, and the specific mechanisms of therapeutic change warrant further investigation.

Purpose of Review This manuscript aims to propose an integration of desire thinking into the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model based on theoretical considerations within the Elaborated Intrusion Theory of Desire and Self-Regulatory Execution Function model and empirical evidence from the field of internet-use disorders. Recent Findings Theory and research on desire thinking in the context of internet-use disorders suggest considerable relations to craving, metacognitive beliefs, and emphasizes its nature when initiated as a reaction towards unpleasant triggers. Accordingly, we postulate that desire thinking may be located at the position for affective and cognitive reactions towards triggers within the I-PACE model. Summary The suggested integration of desire thinking into the I-PACE model specifically implies the assumption of a relief-oriented and pleasure-oriented entry pathway into desire thinking and a feedback loop between desire thinking and the experience of gratification and compensation. The model pathways proposed here may serve as a theoretical basis for future research and need further empirical verification.

Highlights A pre-study revealed a new assessment tool for realistic gaming-specific decisions. Desire thinking may become dysfunctional if oriented towards unwanted temptations. The serial ordinance of desire thinking subfacets is highlighted.

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