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Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

Abstract

Much like substance use disorder, behavioral addictions have been shown to have an association with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This relationship may be mediated by other variables, however, making ACEs a risk factor for behavioral addictions. This literature review includes almost thirty journal articles written in the past 15 years that explore the role of mediators in the relationship between ACEs and behavioral addictions. A significant number of studies investigate the role of mediators with problematic internet use, problematic social media use, and problematic smartphone use, which supports the possibility of ACEs being a risk factor for internet-based behavioral addictions. There is less literature in this realm surrounding internet gaming disorder, problem gambling, and food addiction. Given the lack of null findings reported in the literature, future research should look at how universal these mediators are between behavioral addictions. An excellent starting point would be with problem gambling, as there seem to be few studies examining the mediating variables for ACEs and behavior addictions.

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