Predicting moments of impaired control over addictive behaviors: Relevance of craving and inhibitory control measured in laboratory and ambulatory settings

Background and aims: Moments of impaired control are common in problematic gaming and pornography use. Previous research has mostly focused on general self-control deficits in laboratory or cross-sectional settings. As a novel approach, we examined craving and inhibitory control in daily life as dual mechanisms of moments of impaired control in the natural environment by combining laboratory tasks with ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Methods: In this pre-registered study, 118 participants (M = 26.16 years, SD = 7.72 years, 75 males, 42 females, 1 divers) with nonproblematic, risky or pathological pornography use or gaming (ngaming = 74, npornography = 44) based on a standardized diagnostic interview, completed a cue-reactivity paradigm, craving assessments, Stop-Signal Task, and seven days EMA of craving, behavior-specific inhibitory control, and moments of impaired control (July 2023-July 2025). Results: Average frequency of moments of impaired control was predicted by average craving intensity in real life. Intraindividual likelihood of experiencing a moment of impaired control was predicted by reduced behavior-specific inhibitory control in real life. Laboratory craving predicted real-life craving intensity which was linked to real-life behavior specific inhibitory control ratings. Findings generalized across both behavior groups. Discussion and conclusions: Craving emerged as an overall (between-person) risk factor, whereas behavior-specific inhibitory control as a situation-specific (within-person) mechanism in moments of impaired control in potentially addictive gaming or pornography use. Prevention, treatment, and future research should address within versus between-person processes and continue combining laboratory tasks with EMA to clarify how lab-indexed mechanisms translate into real-world impaired control.