Behavioral addiction tendencies and associated psychosocial factors in faculty members
Authors
Esma Akpinar Aslan, Figen Unal DemirFiles
Abstract
Objective: Behavioral addictions may be associated with psychological symptoms and work-related factors. However, studies evaluating multiple behavioral addiction domains among faculty members remain limited. This study aimed to investigate behavioral addiction tendencies and associated psychosocial factors among faculty members.
Methods: This cross-sectional online study included 202 faculty members. Participants completed an online survey consisting of a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS), Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Version (SAS-SV), Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form (IGDS9-SF), Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale (mYFAS 2.0), and Online Gambling Addiction Scale (OGAS). Group comparisons and correlation analyses were performed.
Results: Behavioral addiction tendencies were observed at varying levels among faculty members, with work addiction, smartphone addiction, and social media addiction showing the highest scores. Depression, anxiety, and stress were positively associated with work addiction, smartphone addiction, social media addiction, and internet gaming disorder scores. Faculty members working more than 40 hours per week had significantly higher work addiction scores. Smartphone use, social media use, and gaming-related behaviors were positively associated with one another, whereas online gambling/betting tendencies demonstrated a distinct pattern.
Conclusion: Behavioral addiction tendencies in faculty members appear to be associated with psychological symptoms and selected work-related characteristics. These findings contribute to the limited literature examining multiple behavioral addiction domains among faculty members and highlight the importance of considering behavioral addictions within a broader psychosocial context.
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