Personality and impulsivity traits associated with problematic online gaming and poker playing.

Anci, E; Rothen, S; Tra, C; Liberacka-Dwojak, M; Rochat, L; Wiłkosc-Debczynska, M; Starcevic, V; Berle, D; Athanasopoulou, C; Cruz, GV; Lee, S-Y; Achab, S; Thorens, G; Zullino, D; Billieux, J; Khazaal, Y

Personality and impulsivity traits associated with problematic online gaming and poker playing.

Anci, E Rothen, S Tra, C Liberacka-Dwojak, M Rochat, L Wiłkosc-Debczynska, M Starcevic, V Berle, D

Athanasopoulou, C Cruz, GV Lee, S-Y Achab, S Thorens, G Zullino, D Billieux, J Khazaal, Y

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Publisher:: Springer Nature
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Sci Rep, 2025, 16, (1), pp. 129
Issue Date:: 2025-12-31

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Anci, E
dc.contributor.author	Rothen, S
dc.contributor.author	Tra, C
dc.contributor.author	Liberacka-Dwojak, M
dc.contributor.author	Rochat, L
dc.contributor.author	Wiłkosc-Debczynska, M
dc.contributor.author	Starcevic, V
dc.contributor.author	Berle, D https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4861-2220
dc.contributor.author	Athanasopoulou, C
dc.contributor.author	Cruz, GV
dc.contributor.author	Lee, S-Y
dc.contributor.author	Achab, S
dc.contributor.author	Thorens, G
dc.contributor.author	Zullino, D
dc.contributor.author	Billieux, J
dc.contributor.author	Khazaal, Y
dc.date.accessioned	2026-01-20T00:02:07Z
dc.date.available	2025-11-13
dc.date.available	2026-01-20T00:02:07Z
dc.date.issued	2025-12-31
dc.identifier.citation	Sci Rep, 2025, 16, (1), pp. 129
dc.identifier.issn	2045-2322
dc.identifier.issn	2045-2322
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/192044
dc.description.abstract	UNLABELLED: Online gambling and gaming are associated with Problematic Usage of the Internet (PUI) in subgroups of individuals. This study aimed to assess how different personality dimensions are associated with PUI scores of Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG) players and online poker players, and to characterize common and specific personality traits of both groups in their association with PUI. Participants (N = 1144) were recruited online and assessed with the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Big Five Inventory and the Short UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale. Data were analyzed with multiple robust linear regression models. The first model tested the associations between personality and impulsivity traits with IAT scores, while controlling for age, gender, and type of online activity. The second model included interaction terms to assess whether these associations differed between MMORPG and poker players. In model 1, neuroticism, negative urgency, positive urgency and sensation seeking were significantly and positively associated with higher IAT scores after controlling for the other personality traits, age, gender, and type of online activity. Extraversion was negatively associated with IAT scores. In Model 2, no significant difference in how these personality traits relate to IAT scores was observed between the two groups. Results highlight that traits such as neuroticism, negative urgency, positive urgency, and sensation seeking constitute potential risk factors for PUI, while extraversion might constitute a protective factor against PUI. The identified associations could be useful in understanding players’ attitudes and supporting them in gaining insight into their difficulties. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-28965-9.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Springer Nature
dc.relation.ispartof	Sci Rep
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1038/s41598-025-28965-9
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Personality and impulsivity traits associated with problematic online gaming and poker playing.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	16
utslib.location.activity	England
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-01-20T00:02:06Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	16
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

UNLABELLED: Online gambling and gaming are associated with Problematic Usage of the Internet (PUI) in subgroups of individuals. This study aimed to assess how different personality dimensions are associated with PUI scores of Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG) players and online poker players, and to characterize common and specific personality traits of both groups in their association with PUI. Participants (N = 1144) were recruited online and assessed with the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Big Five Inventory and the Short UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale. Data were analyzed with multiple robust linear regression models. The first model tested the associations between personality and impulsivity traits with IAT scores, while controlling for age, gender, and type of online activity. The second model included interaction terms to assess whether these associations differed between MMORPG and poker players. In model 1, neuroticism, negative urgency, positive urgency and sensation seeking were significantly and positively associated with higher IAT scores after controlling for the other personality traits, age, gender, and type of online activity. Extraversion was negatively associated with IAT scores. In Model 2, no significant difference in how these personality traits relate to IAT scores was observed between the two groups. Results highlight that traits such as neuroticism, negative urgency, positive urgency, and sensation seeking constitute potential risk factors for PUI, while extraversion might constitute a protective factor against PUI. The identified associations could be useful in understanding players’ attitudes and supporting them in gaining insight into their difficulties. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-28965-9.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/192044