Temporal perspectives, sensation-seeking, and cognitive distortions as predictors of adolescent gambling behavior: a study in Italian high schools

Abstract

Background: Adolescent gambling is an emerging concern, with increasing accessibility through digital platforms. Psychological factors such as sensation-seeking, cognitive distortions, and time perspectives may contribute to gambling behavior during this developmental period. Aims. This study investigated the association between temporal perspectives and adolescent gambling, controlling for sensation-seeking and cognitive distortions. Methods: A total of 1,424 adolescents (Mage = 16.2 years, SD = 1.3) completed self-report measures assessing gambling behavior (PGSI), time perspectives (ZTPI), sensation-seeking (SSSA), and gambling-related cognitions (GBQ). Multiple regression and moderation analyses were conducted. Results: Present-hedonistic (β =.42, p