Inhibitory Control in Gambling Disorder, Internet Gaming Disorder, and Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder/Problematic Pornography Use: a Review of the Last 5 Years

Purpose of ReviewTo explore what has been published in the last 5 years on inhibitory control in gambling disorder (GD), internet gaming disorder (IGD), and compulsive sexual behavior disorder/problematic pornography use (CSBD/PPU).Recent FindingsInhibitory control is a component of executive function which involves managing automatic or irrelevant responses for goal-directed behavior. It has been typically assessed using tasks such as the Stroop, go/no-go, and stop-signal tasks. Inhibitory control has relevance across various mental disorders, and this narrative review focuses on behavioral addictions, specifically GD, IGD, and CSBD/PPU. Recent research on inhibitory control in people with GD has showed mixed results, with some studies indicating impaired inhibitory control during performance of Stroop and go/no-go tasks, while others have not found such differences, particularly during stop-signal task performance. Similarly, studies of inhibitory control in people with IGD also present varied findings, with some studies suggesting impaired inhibitory control, while others reporting no significant differences between individuals with and without IGD. Seemingly heterogeneous results have also been reported for CSBD/PPU.SummaryThis heterogeneity in findings may reflect various limitations of existing studies, as well as the complexity of the inhibitory control construct. More studies are needed to determine the specific role of this potential transdiagnostic factor in these behavioral addictions.