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Chasing the Present: Cognitive Distortions, Time Perspective, and Alcohol use in Adolescent Gambling
Marina Cosenza1, Marco Fabbri2, Barbara Pizzini3
1Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico, 31, Caserta, 81100, Italy. marina.cosenza@unicampania.it.
Journal of Gambling Studies
|June 5, 2026
Summary
Loss chasing in adolescents is driven by cognitive distortions and a present focus, not just gambling severity. Interventions should target these beliefs and promote future-oriented thinking for effective youth gambling prevention.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for developing maladaptive gambling behaviors like loss chasing.
- Loss chasing is a key indicator of gambling-related harm in youth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the interplay of gambling severity, cognitive distortions, temporal perspective, alcohol use, and chasing behavior in Italian adolescents.
- To identify predictors of gambling loss chasing initiation and persistence.
Main Methods:
- Adolescents completed validated questionnaires (SOGS-RA, GRCS, CFC-14, AUDIT).
- A computerized task assessed chasing behavior under control or loss conditions.
- Logistic regression, hierarchical linear regression, and path analysis were used.
Main Results:
- Illusion of control and present-oriented time perspective predicted chasing initiation, independent of gambling severity.
- Loss condition predicted chasing persistence, along with cognitive distortions, present orientation, and alcohol use.
- Cognitive distortions were the primary mechanism for chasing persistence, directly and indirectly via temporal myopia.
Conclusions:
- Loss chasing in adolescents may stem from specific cognitive and temporal vulnerabilities, rather than overall gambling severity.
- Interventions targeting predictive control beliefs and future-oriented thinking are crucial for youth gambling prevention and early intervention.
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