Seeking satisfaction: The role of gratification, compensation, reward deficiency syndrome, and compulsivity on addictive behaviors among young adults

Efrati, Yaniv and Demetrovics, Zsolt and Horváth, Zsolt and Griffiths, Mark D. and Potenza, Marc N. and Blum, Kenneth and Czakó, Andrea and Kótyuk, Eszter (2025) Seeking satisfaction: The role of gratification, compensation, reward deficiency syndrome, and compulsivity on addictive behaviors among young adults. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND REHABILITATION, 16. pp. 177-191.

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Abstract

Background and aims: Behavioral addictions, such as gaming disorder, problematic social media use, compulsive buying-shopping disorder, and gambling disorder, are increasingly common among young adults. The aim of the present study was to identify distinctive factors of these behavioral addictions, focusing on gratification and compensation, reward deficiency syndrome, and compulsivity among young adults. Methods: The sample comprised 1,459 Jewish Israeli young adults from the general community (36% male, 64% female; aged 19-27 years). Participants were surveyed regarding the frequency and problematic use of shopping, online gaming, gambling, and social media use. The study also assessed gratification and compensation specific to each behavior, as well as reward deficiency syndrome and compulsivity. Results: Network analysis of behavioral addiction measures showed three key factors: compulsive buying-shopping, online gaming, and combined gambling and social media use. In addition, GD acts as a critical bridge in the network, connecting different sub-networks, facilitating communication and information flow between them. Subsequently, using structural equation modeling, the study found that a higher need for gratification and compensation, and higher scores on Reward Deficiency Syndrome Questionnaire were associated with greater severity across all four behavioral addictions. In addition, higher compulsivity correlated with lower instances of gambling and social media use. Conclusions: This research illuminates the complex relationship among gratification, reward deficiency, and compulsivity in young adults' behavioral addictions. It highlights the need for interventions that specifically address these underlying psychological factors, suggesting a targeted approach could more effectively mitigate the severity of addictive behaviors.

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