A Study on the Types of Addictive Behaviors

Abstract

The increasing severity of addiction in Korean society, coupled with the blurring of boundaries between substance and behavioral addictions, presents a complex challenge. This is the first in-depth analysis of addictive behavior types using the Shorter PROMIS Questionnaire (SPQ) in a sample of Korean college students (N=392). The SPQ, a self-report instrument designed to assess multiple addictive behaviors simultaneously, measures 16 addictive behaviors, including substance use, gambling, sexual activity, eating, exercise, shopping, work, and relationships. In this study, the 16 addictive behaviors were categorized into two primary types: Nurturant and Hedonistic addictions. Nurturant addictions encompass behaviors aimed at seeking psychological security or satisfaction in relationships with others, including submissive and dominant compulsive caregiving, submissive and dominant relationship behaviors, shopping, work, binge eating, anorexia, and caffeine consumption. Hedonistic addictions, on the other hand, are characterized by the pursuit of immediate pleasure or satisfaction, including substance use, gambling, sexual behavior, smoking, prescription drug use, and alcohol consumption. Exercise was not clearly categorized into either type. These findings align with previous research, particularly Stephenson et al. (1995). The study also revealed consistent results between the female subsample and the overall sample. The findings have implications for the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies that address the underlying motivations and psychological mechanisms associated with each addiction type.