Evaluation of the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and internet addiction in adults based on the role of metacognition

This study aims to examine the relationships between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, metacognitive processes, and internet addiction in adults. Considering that digitalization increasingly influences individuals' attention regulation, impulse control, and cognitive monitoring abilities, it has become important to evaluate how these psychological mechanisms shape internet use behaviors. The research was conducted using a quantitative and cross-sectional design, and data were collected from 138 adults aged 18–40 residing in Türkiye. Participants completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), and the Young Internet Addiction Scale. Cronbach's alpha coefficients above 0.90 indicated high reliability of the measures. Findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between ADHD symptoms and internet addiction. Individuals who experienced difficulties in sustaining attention and regulating impulsive behaviors reported higher levels of problematic internet use. Furthermore, metacognition demonstrated positive associations with both ADHD symptoms and internet addiction. Specifically, higher metacognitive scores were linked to increased ADHD symptom levels and greater tendencies toward internet addiction. Analyses of demographic variables showed significant differences in internet addiction across age and educational groups. This study contributes to the literature by examining the interplay between ADHD, metacognition, and internet addiction within an adult sample. The findings indicate that metacognitive processes may function not only as regulatory mechanisms but also, in some cases, as factors associated with heightened vulnerability to problematic digital behaviors. These results highlight the importance of considering metacognitive patterns in clinical assessments and in the development of psychoeducational and intervention programs targeting adult populations.