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Differences in Reward Sensitivity between High and Low Problematic Smartphone Use Adolescents: An ERP Study

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  • Xinmei Deng

    (School of Psychology, Normal College, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Qiufeng Gao

    (Department of Sociology, Law School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Lijun Hu

    (School of Psychology, Normal College, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Lin Zhang

    (School of Psychology, Normal College, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Yanzhen Li

    (Department of Sociology, Law School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Xiangyu Bu

    (Department of Sociology, Law School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

Abstract

Background: Problematic smartphone use is highly prevalent in adolescent populations compared to other age groups (e.g., adults and young children). Previous studies suggested that higher levels of reward sensitivity were associated with problematic smartphone use. Therefore, the current study investigated the neural processing of monetary and social reward and punishment feedbacks between high and low problematic smartphone use adolescents. Methods: 46 adolescents participated in the current study and they were categorized into two groups based on their level of problematic smartphone use: those who obtained low scores on the measure of problematic smartphone use were categorized as Low Problematic Smartphone Use (LPSU), and those who obtained high scores on the measure of problematic smartphone use were categorized as High Problematic Smartphone Use (HPSU). Electrocortical activities were recorded during the processing of monetary and social reward and punishment feedback. Results: (1) LPSUs evoked larger P3 in the social punishment condition than in the monetary punishment condition. HPSUs evoked larger P3 in the social reward condition than in the monetary condition. (2) The feedback-related negativity (FRN) amplitudes in the reward condition were significantly larger than those in the punishment condition. (3) HPSUs induced larger reward positivity in social feedback conditions than in monetary feedback conditions, while there were no significant differences between the two types of conditions in the LPSUs. Discussion: The results provide neural underpinning evidence that high sensitivity to social rewards may be related to problematic smartphone use in adolescence.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinmei Deng & Qiufeng Gao & Lijun Hu & Lin Zhang & Yanzhen Li & Xiangyu Bu, 2021. "Differences in Reward Sensitivity between High and Low Problematic Smartphone Use Adolescents: An ERP Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9603-:d:634037
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Milena Foerster & Katharina Roser & Anna Schoeni & Martin Röösli, 2015. "Problematic mobile phone use in adolescents: derivation of a short scale MPPUS-10," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 60(2), pages 277-286, February.
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