Drivers of adolescent chasing behavior: The role of craving, decision-making, alcohol use, and gambling severity

IF 3.7 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2025-06-18 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108414

Marina Cosenza , Barbara Pizzini , Maria Ciccarelli , Mariagiulia Sacco , Giovanna Nigro

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Abstract

Craving and impaired decision-making are hallmark features of addiction, playing a prominent role in gambling disorder. These factors are central to loss-chasing behavior, a core diagnostic criterion of gambling dependence characterized by persistent attempts to recover prior losses. This study examines the interplay of craving, affective decision-making, decision-making styles, alcohol use, and gambling severity in chasing behavior among 272 Italian adolescents aged 14–19. Participants completed validated measures, including the South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA), Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), General Decision-Making Style (GDMS), Gambling Craving Scale (GACS), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Chasing behavior was assessed using a computerized task, with participants randomly assigned to either a Control or Loss condition. Regression and path analyses indicated that craving was the strongest predictor of both chasing initiation and persistence, while alcohol consumption was uniquely associated with greater chasing persistence. Conversely, a dependent decision-making style emerged as a protective factor, being associated with reduced engagement in chasing behavior. Notably, neither gambling severity (measured by the SOGS-RA) nor affective decision-making capacity (assessed via the IGT) predicted chasing outcomes. These findings suggest that chasing operates as an independent behavioral mechanism within gambling disorder, distinct from generalized gambling severity or neurocognitive decision-making deficits.

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青少年追逐行为的驱动因素：渴望、决策、酒精使用和赌博严重程度的作用

渴望和决策障碍是成瘾的标志特征，在赌博障碍中起着突出作用。这些因素是追逐损失行为的核心，这是赌博依赖的核心诊断标准，其特征是持续试图弥补先前的损失。本研究调查了272名14-19岁的意大利青少年在追逐行为中的渴望、情感决策、决策风格、酒精使用和赌博严重程度的相互作用。参与者完成了有效的测量，包括南橡树青少年赌博屏幕修订（SOGS-RA），爱荷华赌博任务（IGT），一般决策风格（GDMS），赌博渴望量表（GACS）和酒精使用障碍识别测试（审计）。追逐行为通过计算机化任务进行评估，参与者被随机分配到控制或损失状态。回归分析和路径分析表明，渴望是追逐开始和持续的最强预测因子，而饮酒则与更大的追逐持续度有独特的联系。相反，依赖型决策风格则是一种保护因素，与追逐行为的参与度降低有关。值得注意的是，赌博严重程度（由SOGS-RA测量）和情感决策能力（通过IGT评估）都无法预测追逐结果。这些发现表明，在赌博障碍中，追逐是一种独立的行为机制，与普遍的赌博严重程度或神经认知决策缺陷不同。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.