Assessment and locomotion motivational concerns in Internet Addiction Disorder

Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) has recently been linked to different personality characteristics and self- orientations. Through a survey comprising 469 respondents, who ranged from 13 to 42 years old, we examine how different regulatory mode orientations (namely assessment and locomotion) relate to the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Specifically, we find that individuals with a higher level of assessment (the regulatory mode concerned with critical evaluation) also present higher scores in the IAT. This effect seems more pronounced for males than for females. Conversely, higher levels of locomotion (typical of individuals who are oriented to get things done) are negatively related to IAT scores. These results offer important insights for advancing the theory on IAD development and regulatory modes. Further studies are needed to clarify the causal direction of the relationship and to test possible strategies targeted at reducing IAD by modifying levels of locomotion and assessment orientations.