| Abstract [eng] |
Problematic Internet Use (PIU) emerges amid ubiquitous connectivity yet remains conceptually heterogeneous and underrecognized. This thesis examines PIU as a continuum in a non-clinical sample, integrating psychological, behavioral, and EEG indices to identify markers across increasing levels of internet use. Participants completed self-reports (assessing psychological distress, interoception, and personality), performed an auditory equiprobable Go/NoGo task, and underwent EEG during task and resting-state (to assess ERPs, alpha asymmetry, and microstates). Network analysis of interoception–personality–internet use linked lower interoceptive awareness to higher internet use, with neuroticism bridging bodily awareness and excessive engagement. Behavioral Go/NoGo task indices did not differentiate between internet use severity, but ERPs showed domain-specific associations: a reduced N1 (Gaming), a shorter Go-N1 (total platform use), and a longer NoGo-P3 (Information Search). Resting EEG indicated greater left parietal activity and increased microstate E occurrence/coverage with increasing severity of internet use. Together, results indicate a shift toward externally driven, bottom-up attention and weakened embodied regulation within increasing internet use. Findings advance early detection targets to prevent maladaptive use from escalating. |
