Neurophysiological indicators of self-efficacy in internet gaming disorder: evidence from late positive potentials

Objective: This study investigated late positive potentials (LPP) and levels of self-efficacy and interpersonal relationships in internet gaming disorder (IGD), and examined their potential correlation to elucidate the relationship between neurophysiological and psychological aspects of IGD. Methods: A total of 91 participants were recruited, including 46 individuals with IGD (39 males, seven females; age range: 18-42 years) and 45 healthy controls (HCs; 31 males, 14 females; age range: 19-32 years). All participants completed a cue-reactivity task during electroencephalography (EEG) recording, in which game-related visual cues and neutral images were presented. Late positive potentials (LPP) were calculated as the mean amplitudes within the 400 and 700 ms time window at centro-parietal (CP3, CP1, CPz, CP2, and CP4) and parietal (P3, P1, Pz, P2, and P4) electrode sites. Participants also completed questionnaires including Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (SES), and the Relationship Change Scale (RCS) for assessing self-efficacy and interpersonal relationships. Results: A significant Electrode × Group interaction was observed in the centro-parietal electrodes. Exploratory comparisons indicated nominal group differences in the mean LPP amplitudes at the CP3 and CP1 electrode sites; however, these effects did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Significant negative correlations were found between SES score and LPP amplitudes across parietal electrode sites (P3, P1, Pz, P2 and P4). These correlations remained significant after adjustment for covariates (Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory) and correction for multiple comparisons. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that adults with IGD may exhibit an altered topographical pattern of LPP amplitudes in response to game-related cues in the centro-parietal regions. Importantly, LPP amplitudes in the parietal region were significantly associated with individual self-efficacy levels. These findings suggest that LPP amplitudes in the centro-parietal region may serve as a preliminary neurophysiological correlate reflecting the individual levels of self-efficacy in IGD.