Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Mar;95(1):1-16.
doi: 10.1007/s11126-023-10059-2. Epub 2023 Oct 21.

The Application of the Metacognitive Model of Desire Thinking and Craving in Problematic Social Networking Sites Use

Sara Bocci Benucci  1 , Benedetta Tonini  2 , Giulia Roffo  2 , Silvia Casale  3 , Giulia Fioravanti  4
Affiliations

The Application of the Metacognitive Model of Desire Thinking and Craving in Problematic Social Networking Sites Use

Sara Bocci Benucci et al. Psychiatr Q. 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Cognitive models of addictive behaviours have highlighted the central role of Desire Thinking (DT) - a conscious and voluntary cognitive process orienting to prefigure images and information about a positive target-related experience - in increasing craving and maintaining addictive behaviors. The metacognitive model of DT and craving posits that metacognition plays a central role in understanding dysregulation in DT. The current study aims to test the role of metacognitions about DT, DT, and craving in the relationship between Fear of Missing Out (FoMo), boredom proneness, negative emotional reactivity and Problematic Social Network Sites Use (PSNSU). A sample of 529 participants (Mage= 32.45 ± 13.33; F = 62.9%) completed an online survey. The hypothesised model produced an adequate fit to the data and accounted for 86% of PSNSU variance. FoMO predicted positive metacognitions about DT (PMDT), which predicted DT that, in association with craving, predicted PSNSU. Boredom proneness positively predicted PSNSU directly and indirectly through the serial mediation of PMDT, DT, and craving. A direct path between negative emotional reactivity and PSNSU was found. The current findings provide preliminary evidence for applying the metacognitive model of DT and craving in PSNSU. PMDT and DT may be central cognitive processes in craving and PSNSU for individuals who experience boredom proneness and FoMo.

Keywords: Craving; Desire thinking; FoMo; Metacognitions; Problematic Social Networking Sites Use.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The hypothesized model
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Results of the SEM
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Boyd DM, Ellison NB. Social network sites: definition, history, and scholarship. J Comput -Mediat Commun. 2007 doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x. - DOI
    1. Verduyn P, Ybarra O, Résibois M, Jonides J, Kross E. Do social network sites enhance or undermine subjective well-being? A critical review. Soc Issues Policy Rev. 2017 doi: 10.1111/sipr.12033. - DOI
    1. Kuss DJ, Griffiths MD. Online social networking and addiction–a review of the psychological literature. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2011 doi: 10.3390/ijerph8093528. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Frost RL, Rickwood DJ. A systematic review of the mental health outcomes associated with Facebook use. Comput Hum Behav. 2017 doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.08.001. - DOI
    1. Faelens L, Hoorelbeke K, Cambier R, van Put J, Van de Putte E, De Raedt R, Koster EHW. The relationship between Instagram use and indicators of mental health: a systematic review. Comput Hum Behav Rep. 2021 doi: 10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100121. - DOI

LinkOut - more resources