The effect of adverse childhood experiences and gambling related cognitions on gambling behavior and its causes in young adults

In this study, it was aimed to examine the cognitive structures and negative childhood experiences of young adults about gambling on gambling behavior and its causes. The study group consists of 232 young adults aged 18-30 who show gambling behavior in Gaziantep, Elâzığ, Malatya, Antalya and Istanbul provinces. Personal Information Form and South Oaks Gambling Screening Test, Cognition Scale for Gambling, Reasons for Gambling Scale and Childhood Negative Experiences Scale were administered to the participants. According to the results of the study, cognitive structures related to gambling affect gambling behaviors (= 0.714; p <0.01) positively. Cognitive structures explain 13% of the change (variance, R2) in the reasons for gambling. Childhood negative experiences and cognitive structures explain 52% of the change (variance, R2) in the reasons for gambling. It was also determined that sociodemographic variables have an effect on gambling behavior and its causes. Cognitive structures related to gambling and negative childhood experiences are a risk factor on gambling behavior, although not directly. Keywords: young adult, gambling, childhood negative experiences, cognitive structures