Exploring the Neural Basis of Avatar Identification in Pathological Internet Gamers and of Self-Reflection in Pathological Social Network Users

Abstract

Background and aimsInternet gaming addiction appears to be related to self-concept deficits and increased angular gyrus (AG)-related identification with one’s avatar. For increased social network use, a few existing studies suggest striatal-related positive social feedback as an underlying factor. However, whether an impaired self-concept and its reward-based compensation through the online presentation of an idealized version of the self are related to pathological social network use has not been investigated yet. We aimed to compare different stages of pathological Internet game and social network use to explore the neural basis of avatar and self-identification in addictive use.MethodsAbout 19 pathological Internet gamers, 19 pathological social network users, and 19 healthy controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while completing a self-retrieval paradigm, asking participants to rate the degree to which various self-concept-related characteristics described their self, ideal, and avatar. Self-concept-related characteristics were also psychometrically assessed.ResultsPsychometric testing indicated that pathological Internet gamers exhibited higher self-concept deficits generally, whereas pathological social network users exhibit deficits in emotion regulation only. We observed left AG hyperactivations in Internet gamers during avatar reflection and a correlation with symptom severity. Striatal hypoactivations during self-reflection (vs. ideal reflection) were observed in social network users and were correlated with symptom severity.Discussion and conclusionInternet gaming addiction appears to be linked to increased identification with one’s avatar, evidenced by high left AG activations in pathological Internet gamers. Addiction to social networks seems to be characterized by emotion regulation deficits, reflected by reduced striatal activation during self-reflection compared to during ideal reflection.

“Who Am I” and “How Should I Be”: a Systematic Review on Self-Concept and Avatar Identification in Gaming Disorder

“…Four out of five studies reported deficits in body image to be associated with GD [65, 119, 122, 125•]. It should, however, be noted that three studies were based on very small sample sizes (65,119,122; n addicted gamers < 20) and one other study assessed female gamers only [125•]. One online survey did not confirm this relationship [57•].…”

“…Most studies on the emotional self-concept revealed that addicted gamers rated themselves as having more difficulties in emotional intelligence, such as recognizing and expressing own emotions as well as in emotional regulation [65,85,90,96,119,141]. However, one study showed that gamers with higher usage showed improved emotional regulation but displayed more deficits in emotional expression and higher alexithymia as compared with those with less usage [103].…”

“…[127], in their online survey. Three studies [65,119,122] applied the Body Image Questionnaire [121].…”

“…The assessment of social and emotional self-concept included the evaluation of social appraisal, social anxiety, the ability to start a conversation or to establish and retain close friendships, one's own general mood as well as emotional intelligence characteristics (emotional self-control, and the ability to recognize and express one's own emotions). Twenty-three of the 25 studies indicated that GD is associated with negative self-evaluation of the own academic performance [132•, 139•] [65,85,90,96,119,141]. One of the remaining two studies observed that only male at risk gamers Social self-concept and avatar identification Avatar identification showed a positive relation to GD.…”

Customized DNA–directed precision nutrition to balance the brain reward circuitry and reduce addictive behaviors

“…Just blocking fat absorption is not addressing the many other issues related to obesity, whereby many genes and subsequent polymorphisms play important roles in the induction of aberrant cravings [25], enhancing brown fat synthesis [26], other addictions [27], and inducing metabolic anomalies [28]. …”