Illusion of control and passion mediate the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling in a multigroup analysis

Abstract Previous studies have highlighted the key role of winning exposure in problem lottery gambling. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this relationship, particularly in mainland China. The current study investigated the structural relationships among winning exposure, ill...

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Main Authors: Yue Hu, Xinyu Cai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04045-w
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author Yue Hu
Xinyu Cai
author_facet Yue Hu
Xinyu Cai
author_sort Yue Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Previous studies have highlighted the key role of winning exposure in problem lottery gambling. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this relationship, particularly in mainland China. The current study investigated the structural relationships among winning exposure, illusion of control, harmonious passion, obsessive passion, and problem lottery gambling across three age groups. A total of 3602 Chinese lottery gamblers (3032 males, mean age = 39.72 years) were recruited to participate in this study and completed measures of demographic information, winning exposure, illusion of control, lottery gambling passion, and problem lottery gambling. There were significant correlations between winning exposure, illusion of control, harmonious passion, obsessive passion, and problem lottery gambling. Winning exposure positively predicted problem lottery gambling. Winning exposure related to problem lottery gambling via the illusion of control, via harmonious passion, via obsessive passion, serially via the illusion of control and harmonious passion, and via the illusion of control and obsessive passion. The mediation model varied within three age groups. Illusion of control and gambling passion mediate the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling. This mechanism of problem lottery gambling varies with ages. These findings expand the understanding of the theoretical mechanism underlying the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling.
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spelling doaj-art-ae5d140b8cab450cbe761d8a7182fc972025-08-20T03:03:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-04045-wIllusion of control and passion mediate the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling in a multigroup analysisYue Hu0Xinyu Cai1School of Education and Psychology, Tianjin University of SportSchool of Physical Education and Sports, Central China Normal UniversityAbstract Previous studies have highlighted the key role of winning exposure in problem lottery gambling. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this relationship, particularly in mainland China. The current study investigated the structural relationships among winning exposure, illusion of control, harmonious passion, obsessive passion, and problem lottery gambling across three age groups. A total of 3602 Chinese lottery gamblers (3032 males, mean age = 39.72 years) were recruited to participate in this study and completed measures of demographic information, winning exposure, illusion of control, lottery gambling passion, and problem lottery gambling. There were significant correlations between winning exposure, illusion of control, harmonious passion, obsessive passion, and problem lottery gambling. Winning exposure positively predicted problem lottery gambling. Winning exposure related to problem lottery gambling via the illusion of control, via harmonious passion, via obsessive passion, serially via the illusion of control and harmonious passion, and via the illusion of control and obsessive passion. The mediation model varied within three age groups. Illusion of control and gambling passion mediate the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling. This mechanism of problem lottery gambling varies with ages. These findings expand the understanding of the theoretical mechanism underlying the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04045-wProblem lottery gamblingWinning exposureIllusion of controlHarmonious passionObsessive passionAge difference
spellingShingle Yue Hu
Xinyu Cai
Illusion of control and passion mediate the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling in a multigroup analysis
Scientific Reports
Problem lottery gambling
Winning exposure
Illusion of control
Harmonious passion
Obsessive passion
Age difference
title Illusion of control and passion mediate the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling in a multigroup analysis
title_full Illusion of control and passion mediate the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling in a multigroup analysis
title_fullStr Illusion of control and passion mediate the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling in a multigroup analysis
title_full_unstemmed Illusion of control and passion mediate the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling in a multigroup analysis
title_short Illusion of control and passion mediate the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling in a multigroup analysis
title_sort illusion of control and passion mediate the relationship between winning exposure and problem lottery gambling in a multigroup analysis
topic Problem lottery gambling
Winning exposure
Illusion of control
Harmonious passion
Obsessive passion
Age difference
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04045-w
work_keys_str_mv AT yuehu illusionofcontrolandpassionmediatetherelationshipbetweenwinningexposureandproblemlotterygamblinginamultigroupanalysis
AT xinyucai illusionofcontrolandpassionmediatetherelationshipbetweenwinningexposureandproblemlotterygamblinginamultigroupanalysis