Love addiction linked to memory and attention problems

A new study has found that people experiencing symptoms of love addiction are more likely to report problems with memory, attention, and cognitive functioning in daily life and at work. These effects appear to be closely linked to anxiety and depression, which themselves are associated with higher levels of love addiction. The study also found that frequent social media use is a strong predictor of love addiction symptoms. The findings, published in Behavioural Brain Research, provide new insight into how emotional dependence on romantic partners can impact mental performance and well-being.

Love is often viewed as a powerful and positive force, but in some cases, it can become overwhelming and compulsive. Love addiction is a term used to describe a pattern of obsessive thoughts and behaviors directed toward a romantic partner, often accompanied by emotional instability, anxiety when apart, and an excessive focus on maintaining the relationship. Individuals with this pattern may experience symptoms similar to those seen in drug addiction, such as mood swings, loss of control, and intense craving. Despite the emotional suffering that often accompanies these symptoms, love addiction has received relatively little attention in clinical settings.

The researchers behind the current study aimed to better understand how love addiction affects people’s perception of their own cognitive functioning. They were particularly interested in exploring whether symptoms of love addiction are directly related to cognitive problems, or whether these problems are better explained by associated psychological symptoms like anxiety and depression. They also examined whether social media use plays a role in the development of love addiction, given the ways in which digital platforms can amplify romantic surveillance, jealousy, and emotional dependence.

To investigate these questions, the researchers analyzed data from 600 Italian adults who completed an online questionnaire between July 2022 and May 2023. The participants ranged in age from 18 to over 50, with most falling between 26 and 35 years old. About three-quarters were women, and over two-thirds had a university degree. The survey included a variety of standardized psychological and cognitive measures, including assessments of anxiety, depression, resilience, memory ability, attention, and social media use.

Participants were divided into three groups based on their level of love addiction symptoms: those with no symptoms, those with mild to moderate symptoms, and those with severe symptoms. Compared to those with no love addiction symptoms, individuals in the mild and severe groups reported more frequent cognitive failures, including problems remembering things, concentrating, and completing tasks at work or home. These subjective difficulties were especially prominent in the group with severe symptoms.

Interestingly, even those with only mild love addiction symptoms reported noticeable declines in perceived cognitive functioning. They also reported higher levels of anxiety and depression. Statistical analyses revealed that these psychological symptoms mediated the link between love addiction and cognitive complaints. In other words, love addiction appears to contribute to emotional distress, which in turn makes people feel less cognitively capable.

The study also found that people who used social media more frequently were more likely to exhibit symptoms of love addiction. This was true even after accounting for other factors such as age, gender, and education. Mediation models showed that social media use was indirectly linked to perceived cognitive problems through its effects on love addiction, anxiety, and depression. The more someone used social media, the more likely they were to report love addiction symptoms, which increased the likelihood of experiencing emotional symptoms that contributed to cognitive difficulties.

To test the robustness of these findings, the researchers performed additional analyses excluding participants with diagnosed psychiatric conditions. The results remained largely the same, suggesting that the effects of love addiction on perceived cognitive decline are not merely a reflection of underlying clinical disorders. The researchers also reversed the direction of their mediation models to test whether anxiety and depression might cause love addiction, but this alternative explanation was not supported by the data.

Beyond the cognitive effects, the study identified other important differences between groups. People with more severe love addiction symptoms tended to have lower levels of education, lower resilience, and less effective coping strategies. These individuals were also more likely to be currently using psychotropic medications and to report a history of psychological conditions.

Although the study was based on self-reported data and cannot confirm cause-and-effect relationships, it raises important concerns about how emotional attachment, social media habits, and mental health can interact to shape cognitive self-perception. The authors note that people experiencing love addiction often describe intense emotional suffering, especially when relationships are marked by rejection or instability. This emotional turmoil may not only impair their sense of well-being but also interfere with their ability to function in daily life.

From a clinical perspective, the findings suggest that targeting anxiety and depression in people with love addiction may help alleviate the cognitive complaints they experience. This approach could involve therapy, medication, or other mental health interventions aimed at improving emotional regulation. The study also highlights the potential role of education and resilience in protecting against love addiction, and suggests that digital literacy and awareness campaigns could be useful in mitigating its development, especially among young adults.

One implication of the study is that subjective cognitive difficulties in people with love addiction may serve as early warning signs. While subjective complaints don’t always correspond directly to objective cognitive impairments, they are often associated with future risk. This makes them an important target for early screening and intervention.

The authors acknowledge limitations in their work. The sample was not balanced in terms of gender, as most respondents were women. The recruitment method—snowball sampling through online platforms—may also have introduced bias. In addition, the study relied entirely on self-report questionnaires, which do not capture objective cognitive performance and are subject to personal interpretation. Future research could benefit from longitudinal designs that track individuals over time and include objective neuropsychological testing.

The study, “Love addiction symptoms and subjective cognitive complaints: The mediator role of depression and anxiety and the impact of social media use,” was authored by Gianpaolo Maggi, Chiara Giacobbe, Lorenzo Borrello, Angelo Barone, Clara Mastromarino, Paolo Antonelli, and Gabriella Santangelo.