Substance and Behavioral Addictions Across Cultures and Genders: Psychological Mechanisms, Risk Factors, and Clinical Implications

Substance-related and behavioral addictions constitute a growing public health concern worldwide. Alongside established substance use disorders, behavioral addictions such as gambling, gaming, problematic social media use, compulsive sexual behavior, and exercise addiction have attracted increasing scientific and clinical attention. Emerging evidence suggests that these addictive behaviors share common psychological and neurobehavioral mechanisms, including impulsivity, emotion regulation difficulties, maladaptive cognitive schemas, insecure attachment patterns, low self-esteem, and interpersonal vulnerabilities. However, the manifestation, development, and consequences of addictive behaviors are strongly influenced by sociocultural and gender-related factors. Despite increasing research activity, important gaps remain regarding cross-cultural comparisons, gender-sensitive approaches, and the identification of transdiagnostic processes underlying both substance and behavioral addictions. Advancing knowledge in these areas is essential for improving prevention, assessment, and treatment strategies.The primary goal of this Research Topic is to advance a comprehensive understanding of the psychological, social, and cultural factors involved in the development and maintenance of both substance-related and behavioral addictions. We aim to bring together researchers from diverse disciplines and geographical regions to identify shared and specific mechanisms across addictive behaviors and populations. Particular emphasis will be placed on transcultural research capable of clarifying how cultural contexts shape risk factors, symptom expression, and treatment outcomes. Furthermore, we seek to promote a gender-informed perspective by highlighting potential differences in pathways to addiction, motivations for engagement, barriers to treatment, and psychosocial consequences among women and men. By integrating evidence across cultures, genders, and addiction types, this collection aims to inform more inclusive theoretical models, improve clinical interventions, and support the development of tailored prevention and treatment strategies for diverse populations.This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, brief reports, and theoretical contributions addressing substance-related and behavioral addictions. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, substance use disorder, gambling disorder, gaming disorder, problematic social media use, compulsive sexual behavior, exercise addiction, substance use disorders, and emerging addictive behaviors. Studies adopting cross-cultural, international, comparative, or gender-based perspectives are especially encouraged. Contributions from clinical, community, educational, and vulnerable populations are welcome, as are longitudinal, experimental, and mixed-methods designs. Topic editors: Iciar Iruarrizaga, Leticia Olave, Ana Estevez Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83304/substance-and-behavioral-addictions-across-cultures-and-genders-psychological-mechanisms-risk-factors-and-clinical-implications