The I-PACE Model Describing the Development and Maintenance of Internet-Related Disorders and Other Addictive Behaviors

Based on current empirical data and theoretical assumptions, the Interaction of Person-Affect Cognition Execution Model summarizes the potential mechanisms that contribute to the development and maintenance of various Internet-related disorders and other addictive behaviors. The central assumption of the model is that effects of predisposing individual characteristics in interaction with affective and cognitive processes as well as in interaction with environmental variables or with digital media contribute to the development of specific addictive behaviors. The affective and cognitive processes include mechanisms of cue-reactivity and craving as well as a reduction in inhibitory control, which may be mediated by neural changes during the addiction process. Although an overall examination of the model for specific Internet-related disorders and other addictive behaviors is still pending, it gives first indications for clinical practice.