Sluggish cognitive tempo (Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome) symptoms are more associated with a higher risk of internet addiction and internet gaming disorder than ADHD symptoms: A study with medical students and resident doctors

Exploring the link between sleep and cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) in young adults: Integrating the role of ADHD

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to: (1) compare sleep quality and sleep-related parameters in a Turkish adult population with and without CDS and ADHD symptoms; and (2) re-examine the relationship between CDS and sleep by exploring potential associations between sleep problems and CDS symptoms, while also examining the separate roles of sluggishness and daydreaming, as well as possible gender differences.

METHOD

The study included 274 participants (age:18-35, 70.4 % female). The Adult CDS Ratings Scale, the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22 and AMOS 23. Statistical analyses included ANOVA with post-hoc Tamhane's test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman Correlation Analysis, and structural equation modeling with path analysis. Linear regression analysis was conducted to identify factors influencing daydreaming.

RESULTS

The study yielded four key findings: CONCLUSIONS: This study is among the first to explore the relationship between CDS symptoms and sleep problems in young adults, accounting for ADHD. Our findings highlight the significant association of hyperactivity/impulsivity and daydreaming with sleep quality, as well as the relationship between poor sleep quality and increased daydreaming and sluggishness, though to a lesser extent than ADHD symptoms. Notably, gender differences emerged, with poor sleep quality affecting CDS symptoms primarily in women, while sluggishness decreased with age in men. These results underscore the importance of considering sleep issues in the context of CDS and ADHD, particularly with attention to gender-specific patterns.

Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) and Psychological Ill-Being in Young Adults Using the Adult Concentration Inventory (ACI)

Background: Young adulthood is a demanding developmental stage, in that individuals are often faced with making major and long-lasting decisions related to career and family. This is also a heightened time of mental health difficulties. There is recent evidence that cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS; previously sluggish cognitive tempo) may also be more prevalent in young adults and associated with poorer functioning. However, the relation between CDS symptoms and anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia remains insufficiently investigated among young adults. Given this, the aims of the present study were as follows: (1) to investigate the associations between CDS and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia; (2) to investigate if and which dimensions of ill-being were more robustly related to higher CDS scores; (3) to explore if stress scores moderated the associations between CDS symptoms and insomnia; and (4) to explore if higher insomnia categories were associated with higher CDS scores. Methods: A total of 246 young adult students in Switzerland (mean age = 22.62; 56.3% females) completed a booklet of questionnaires covering socio-demographic information, cognitive disengagement syndrome (Adult Concentration Inventory; ACI), and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia as part of this cross-sectional study. Results: Higher CDS scores on the ACI were associated with higher scores for depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia were independently associated with higher scores for CDS. Higher categories of stress moderated the associations between higher CDS scores and higher insomnia. Higher insomnia categories were related to higher CDS scores. Conclusions: The present data showed that among a small sample of young adult students, higher CDS scores were associated with higher psychological ill-being (depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia). If we consider CDS as a trait, specific performance-enhancing medication or psychotherapeutic interventions might favorably influence dimensions of psychological ill-being such as depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia.

The mediating role of digital addiction in the relationship between cognitive disengagement syndrome and problem-solving skills

BACKGROUND

There is a growing interest in the effects of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) on children. Despite concerns about the effects of CDS on cognitive abilities, especially in children, research is quite limited. It is important to understand the mechanisms of CDS on problem-solving skills.

AIM

This study aims to investigate the relationship of CDS with problem solving skills in children and also to examine the potential mediating role of digital addiction.

METHOD

The study was cross-sectional research involving 433 middle school children aged 11 and 14.

RESULTS

Our results showed that there were positive relationships between CDS and digital addiction, negative relationships between CDS and problem solving skills, and negative relationships between digital addiction and problem solving skills. Moreover, our findings suggest that CDS is associated with problem-solving skills both directly and indirectly through digital addiction.

CONCLUSION

Intervention programs developed for children with or at risk of CDS should incorporate practices to enhance problem-solving skills and behavioral interventions to balance their use of digital tools.

Problematic Internet use and attitudes towards persons with disabilities - cross-sectional research among Polish students

BACKGROUND

Problematic Internet use (PIU) can have detrimental effects on physical, emotional, psychological, and social functioning. Besides well-described PIU correlations in psychological domains such as personality traits, or life satisfaction, and self-assessment, the social aspect of PIU risk also appeared to be important. This study aimed to investigate the association between PIU and attitudes towards persons with disabilities.

METHODS

A total of 595 Polish students aged 18-29 participated in this research by completing the Internet Addiction Test, Multidimensional Attitudes Scale Towards Persons With Disabilities, and personal information form.

RESULTS

The findings revealed that 30.6% of the respondents were at high risk for PIU. Moreover, heightened levels of PIU were more prevalent among male participants and students in technical fields of study than in those in medical and social fields of study. Increased PIU was also associated with more negative attitudes towards persons with disabilities in general and in the domains of emotions and behaviours. Additionally, prior personal contact with individuals with disabilities was related to both PIU rates and attitudes towards persons with disabilities in the domain of emotions and beliefs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the prevalence of PIU among Polish students and emphasizes the need for preventive measures, particularly targeting male students and those in technical fields of study. The results indicate a relationship between PIU and attitudes towards individuals with disabilities. Further research is required to determine the direction of the relationship. It is recommended that educational programs provide opportunities for interaction with individuals with disabilities to promote understanding and acceptance.

The relationship between problematic internet use and attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between problematic internet use (PIU) and ADHD-related symptoms of attention deficit, impulsivity and hyperactivity.

METHODS

We chose a meta-analytical approach and searched for relevant studies in different databases (Pubmed, PsycInfo, Google scholar). We identified 24 studies with 18 859 participants (mean age = 18.40 (SD = 5.51)) published between 2004 and 2021 which were applicable for our research. We calculated 21, 7, and 9 effect sizes for attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity, respectively.

RESULTS

We found significant associations between PIU and attention deficit (r = 0.36, 95% confidence interval = [0.28 to 0.43]), hyperactivity (r = 0.44, 95% confidence interval = [0.33 to 0.53]), and impulsivity (r = 0.41, 95% confidence interval = [0.30 to 0.51]), p < .001 for all three. The effect sizes of attention deficit and hyperactivity were significantly higher in male compared to female participants. Additionally, higher attention deficit effects were found in adults compared to children/adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis indicates that ADHD-related symptoms are associated with PIU. Although cross-sectional analyses cannot explain cause-and-effect relationships, we hypothesize that attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity constitute a vulnerability towards PIU.