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

Tagrid Leménager; Julia Dieter; Holger Hill; Sabine Hoffmann; Iris Reinhard; Martin Beutel; Sabine Vollstädt-Klein; Falk Kiefer; Karl Mann

doi:10.1556/2006.5.2016.048

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

J Behav Addict. 2016 Sep;5(3):485-99. doi: 10.1556/2006.5.2016.048. Epub 2016 Jul 14.

Authors

Tagrid Leménager¹, Julia Dieter¹, Holger Hill², Sabine Hoffmann¹, Iris Reinhard³, Martin Beutel⁴, Sabine Vollstädt-Klein¹, Falk Kiefer¹, Karl Mann¹

Affiliations

¹ 1 Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health , Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University , Mannheim, Germany.
² 2 Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology , Karlsruhe, Germany.
³ 3 Department of Biostatistics, Central Institute of Mental Health , Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University , Mannheim, Germany.
⁴ 4 Medical Quality Management, Kraichtal Clinics , Kraichtal, Germany.

Abstract

Background and aims Internet 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. Methods About 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. Results Psychometric 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 conclusion Internet 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.

Keywords: angular gyrus; avatar identification; pathological Internet gaming; pathological social network use; self-concept deficits; striatum.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Adult
Behavior, Addictive / physiopathology*
Behavior, Addictive / psychology*
Brain / physiopathology*
Brain Mapping
Emotions / physiology
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Neuropsychological Tests
Psychometrics
Self Concept*
Self-Control / psychology
Social Networking*
Video Games / psychology*

Grants and funding

Funding sources: This study was supported by the Ministerium für Arbeit und Sozialordnung, Familie, Frauen und Senioren, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (reference number 55-5072-7.1; PI: Prof. Dr. med. Karl Mann, Co-PI: Dr. Tagrid Leménager).