Ilkka Vuorinen, post-doc researcher from Future of Gambling, will give a presentation titled “A Longitudinal Study on the Effects of Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction on Problematic Gambling, Gaming, and Internet Use” at the 9th International Self-Determination Theory Conference, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 30 June to 3 July 2026. The study is co-authored by Ilkka Vuorinen, Iina Savolainen and Atte Oksanen.
The study examines how satisfaction of basic psychological needs is connected to problematic gambling, gaming and internet use over time. Drawing on longitudinal Gambling in the Digital Age panel survey data collected from adult Finnish participants since 2021, the research shows that people with higher basic psychological need satisfaction report fewer problems related to gambling, gaming and internet use over time.
The findings highlight the importance of psychosocial well-being in understanding addictive behaviours. By applying Self-Determination Theory, the study contributes to a better understanding of how motivation, need satisfaction and digital behaviours are connected.