Predicting Online Gambling Addiction with the Dark Triad Traits

Abstract

Gambling poses new risks for individuals due to technological developments and easier and faster access to online games. The increase in participation in online gambling activities such as betting and games of chance further increases the prevalence of gambling and the risk of addiction. Identifying risk groups and factors is critical to prevent these harmful activities with adverse psychosocial and economic consequences. This study aimed to investigate the effect of gender and dark personality traits on online gambling addiction. Data were obtained from 376 Turkish university students (M = 20.40, SD = 1.96). The current study revealed the tendency of men towards online gambling addiction. 93% of participants were above the addiction score threshold. The findings showed a positive association between narcissism and psychopathy and online gambling addiction and no relationship between Machiavellianism and this addiction. Narcissism and psychopathy personality traits were determined to be risk factors for online gambling addiction. Since this study identified that men and students with the personality traits of narcissism and psychopathy are prone to online gambling, interventions with these groups may help prevent the negative consequences of online gambling before they occur.

Keywords

• The Dark Triad traits
• narcissism
• machiavellianism
• psychopathy
• online gambling addiction
• university students

Karanlık Üçlü Özellikleriyle Çevrimiçi Kumar Bağımlılığını Tahmin Etmek

Öz

Kumar, teknolojik gelişmeler ve çevrimiçi oyunlara daha kolay ve hızlı erişim sağlanması nedenleriyle bireyler için yeni riskler oluşturmaktadır. Bahis ve şans oyunları gibi çevrimiçi kumar faaliyetlerine katılımın artması, kumarın yaygınlığını ve bağımlılık riskini daha da artırmaktadır. Olumsuz psikososyal ve ekonomik sonuçları olan bu zararlı faaliyetlerin önlenmesi için risk gruplarının ve faktörlerinin belirlenmesi kritik öneme sahiptir. Bu çalışma, cinsiyet ve Karanlık Üçlü kişilik özelliklerinin çevrimiçi kumar bağımlılığı üzerindeki etkisini araştırmayı amaçlamıştır. Veriler 376 Türk üniversite öğrencisinden elde edilmiştir (M = 20.40, Ss = 1.96). Mevcut çalışma erkeklerin çevrimiçi kumar bağımlılığına olan eğilimini ortaya çıkarmıştır. Katılımcıların %93’ü bağımlılık puan sınırının üzerindeydi. Bulgular narsisizm ile psikopati ve çevrimiçi kumar bağımlılığı arasında pozitif ilişki olduğunu ve Makyavelizm ile bu bağımlılık arasında herhangi bir ilişki olmadığını göstermiştir. Narsisizm ve psikopati kişilik özelliklerinin çevrimiçi kumar bağımlılığı için risk faktörü olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bu çalışma, erkeklerin ve narsisizm ve psikopati kişilik özelliklerine sahip öğrencilerin çevrimiçi kumara yatkın olduğunu belirlediğinden, bu gruplara yönelik müdahaleler, çevrimiçi kumarın olumsuz sonuçlarının ortaya çıkmadan önce önlenmesine yardımcı olabilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Karanlık Üçlü kişilik özellikleri
• narsisizm
• makyavelizm
• psikopati
• çevrimiçi kumar bağımlılığı
• üniversite öğrencileri

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