Objective: With the introduction of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and changing
life conditions, behavioral addictions have gained more prominence in academia. Behavioral addictions exhibit common
and unique features, both in comparison to non-behavioral addictions and among different types of behavioral addictions.
Pathological gambling or gambling disorder is included in the DSM-5 and can be considered the prototype of behavioral
addiction. Therefore, in this study we aim to highlight the similarities and differences between pathological gambling and
technology addictions in the context of impulsivity and social anxiety.
Method: In our study, 564 university students were included. Each student completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen,
Technology Addiction Scale, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, and the short form of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale.
Results: The rate of pathological gambling was found to be 10.3% (n=58). According to the hierarchical regression analysis,
impulsivity predicts both pathological gambling and technology addictions, while social anxiety predicts only technology
addictions (including instant messaging addiction, online game addiction, and website addiction).
Conclusion: Behavioral addictions share characteristics with other behavioral addictions, as well as with non-behavioral
addictions. However, there are unique factors in the development of each addiction that should be considered since identifying
these factors can contribute to the development of personalized therapies. Therefore, there is a need for studies that focus on
pathological gambling while comparing different behavioral addictions across various contexts. In this regard, the present study
offers a modest example.