Social-media-related stimuli interferes decision making of problematic social media users under risk

Abstract: Problematic social media use (PSMU) is discussed as a potential further type of disorders due to addictive behaviors. The I-PACE (Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition Execution) model illustrates the mechanisms and processes assumed to be relevant for the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors, potentially including problematic social media use. The interaction of affective and cognitive components (e.g., the confrontation with addiction-related cues leading to cue reactivity and craving and decision making) is assumed to result in a continuation of the behavior (e.g., use of social networks). Dysfunctional decision-making behavior, reflecting this imbalance, is considered as risk factor for and a consequence of an addictive behavior. This study investigates if the presentation of social- media -related cues interferes with decision making under risk. We conducted two studies using the Wheel of Fortune task. In study 1, the relationship between problematic social media use and risk decision-making was investigated. This study used a 2 (participant type: PSMU group, control group) × 2 (risk level: low, high) mixed design with participant type as a between-subjects variable. Participants were asked to complete the Wheel of Fortune task by pressing the F or J key. In study 2, in order to investigates if the presentation of Social-media-related cues interferes with decision making under risk, a 2 (participant type: PSMU, HC) × 2 (risk level: low, high) × 2(variation between conditions: C1, C2) mixed design was used. Participants were asked to make a choice by pressing the F or J key after the relevant information pictures disappears. The results were observed as follows: (1) When no cues were presented, the response time of the PSMU group was longer, and they chose riskier options less frequently under high-risk level. (2) When neutral and social media-related cues were presented, the consistency conditions increased the number of times the PSMU group chose riskier options, and the impact on the first arrival time of the PSMU group was greater than that on the control group. Compared to the control group, the response time of the problem group was also more influenced by social-related cues.In summary, this study revealed that Problematic social media use can influence risk decision-making, and social media-related information has a greater impact on the PSMU group, increasing their tendency to take risks during risk decision-making. In the future, research can be conducted to explore the brain activities of problematic social media users during the risk decision-making process, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between problematic social media use and risk decision-making.