Psychological and cognitive complaints in individuals with love addiction

Abstract

Background: Individuals with love addiction (LA) may experience psychological, social, and cognitive difficulties in everyday life. However, no study has explored the psychological symptoms, subjective cognitive complaints, and personological aspects associated with LA. The present study aimed to investigate the psychological, behavioral, and cognitive correlates of LA by comparing individuals with high (H-LAI) and low (L-LAI) levels of LA and to clarify the role of resilience and coping style as protective factors of LA. Methods: The online questionnaire used to recruit the sample included the Love Addiction Inventory (LAI) to assess the levels of LA and cognitive failures, resilience, coping style, depression, and anxiety assessment. Participants were equally divided into H-LAI and L-LAI groups based on the median LAI value. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 600 participants (446 females; mean age = 29.5, SD = 9.44). Compared to L-LAI, H-LAI participants were younger and showed more severe anxiety and depressive symptoms; moreover, they complained more frequently about memory and attention failures. Male sex was found to be a risk factor in the development of LA, resilience emerged as a significant protective factor. Limitations: Longitudinal research is needed to better explore the causal link between love addiction and psychological or cognitive failures. Additionally, objective neuropsychological tests should deeply investigate this connection. Conclusions: Our findings indicated a cognitive and psychological profile associated with love addiction characterized by more severe psychological symptoms and perceived cognitive failures. An early identification of individuals most at risk to develop love addiction and the implementation of timed strategies reinforcing resilience might avoid detrimental consequences.

Keywords

• Anxiety
• Cognitive failures
• Coping
• Depression
• Love addiction
• Resilience