From Behavioral Addictions to Digital Dependencies: A Bibliometric Analysis of Cryptocurrency, Online Gambling, and Gaming Disorder Research

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to present a bibliometric mapping of three critical areas in digital addiction research (cryptocurrency, online gambling, and gaming disorder) spanning the period 2010-2025. Specifically, it aims to reveal the place of these three critical areas within academic production, their development trends, and their structural relationships.
Method: A total of 2,693 articles retrieved from the Web of Science database were examined following PRISMA guidelines, with publication trends, keyword clusters, country contributions, and co-authorship networks visualized.
Results: Digital addiction research has expanded rapidly, it has yet to achieve full theoretical and methodological maturity. The cryptocurrency domain remains relatively new and fragmented, online gambling experienced a marked increase during the COVID-19 period, and gaming disorder has emerged as the largest and comparatively more mature field. A common thread across these domains lies in shared psychodynamic processes—such as risk-taking and reward expectancy—that intersect with behavioral addictions. 
Conclusion: This study underscores the need to address digital addictions not only at the individual level but also as a broader public health concern. It offers a holistic perspective on the current state and future directions of digital addictions, providing valuable implications for both policymakers and researchers.

Keywords

• Behavioral addiction
• digital addiction
• cryptocurrency
• online gambling
• gaming disorder

Davranışsal Bağımlılıklardan Dijital Bağımlılıklara: Kripto Para, Çevrimiçi Kumar ve Oyun Bozukluğu Araştırmalarının Bibliyometrik Analizi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, 2010-2025 dönemini kapsayan dijital bağımlılık araştırmalarındaki üç kritik alanın (kripto para, çevrimiçi kumar ve oyun bozukluğu) bibliyometrik haritalamasını sunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Özellikle kripto para, çevrimiçi kumar ve oyun bozukluğu olmak üzere üç kritik alanın akademik üretim içindeki yerini, gelişim eğilimlerini ve yapısal ilişkilerini ortaya koymayı hedeflemektedir. 
Yöntem: Web of Science veri tabanından alınan toplam 2.693 makale, PRISMA yönergeleri doğrultusunda incelenmiş ve yayın eğilimleri, anahtar kelime kümeleri, ülke katkıları ve ortak yazarlık ağları görselleştirilmiştir. 
Bulgular: Dijital bağımlılık araştırmaları hızla artmakta, ancak henüz teorik ve metodolojik olarak tam olgunluğa ulaşmamıştır. Kripto para alanı nispeten yeni ve parçalı bir yapıdadır; çevrimiçi kumar COVID-19 döneminde belirgin bir artış göstermiştir ve oyun bozukluğu en büyük ve nispeten daha olgun alan olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu alanlar arasındaki ortak nokta, davranışsal bağımlılıklarla kesişen risk alma ve ödül beklentisi gibi ortak psikodinamik süreçlerdir. 
Sonuç: Çalışma, dijital bağımlılıkların yalnızca bireysel düzeyde değil, aynı zamanda daha geniş bir halk sağlığı sorunu olarak ele alınması gerektiğinin altını çizmektedir. Çalışma, dijital bağımlılıkların mevcut durumu ve gelecekteki yönleri hakkında bütünsel bir bakış açısı sunarak hem politika yapıcılar hem de araştırmacılar için değerli çıkarımlar sağlamaktadır.

Keywords

• Davranışsal bağımlılık
• dijital bağımlılık
• kripto para birimi
• çevrimiçi kumar
• oyun bozukluğu

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