COVID-19, sense of control, and the rise of addictive behaviors: a study in Poland

Monika Górowska; Katarzyna Obarska; Karol Szymczak; Mateusz Gola; Jan Chodkiewicz

doi:10.5114/ppn.2025.156769

eISSN: 2720-5371
ISSN: 1230-2813

Advances in Psychiatry and Neurology/Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii

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Artykuł oryginalny

COVID-19, sense of control, and the rise of addictive behaviors: a study in Poland

Monika P. Górowska

^{1, 2}

,

Katarzyna Obarska

^{3, 4}

,

Karol Szymczak

⁵

,

Mateusz Gola

^{3, 6}

,

Jan Chodkiewicz

⁷

State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Sciences and Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
VIZJA University, Warsaw, Poland
Institute of Psychology, The Maria Grzegorzewska University, Warsaw, Poland
Swartz Center for Computational Neurosciences, Institute for Neural Computation, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ppn.2025.156769

Data publikacji online: 2025/12/08

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Purpose
As some addictive behaviors increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have attempted to identify their risks and protective factors against them. In this research, we have investigated the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and addictive behaviors and the role of general and COVID-19-specific sense of control, attitude to vaccination, and earlier recovery from COVID-19.

Methods
A total of 511 individuals aged 18-79 participated in the online survey. Women comprised 71.29% of the sample, men 27.93%, and 0.79% (n = 3) declined to provide information on their gender. Participants completed questionnaires assessing substance-related and substance-dependent behaviors, general and COVID-19-specific locus of control, fear of COVID-19, and attitudes toward vaccination. Moderation and mediation analyses were conducted.

Results
Fear of COVID-19 was associated with increased internet, social media, and marijuana use. Lower sense of control (both general and COVID-19-specific) was associated with an increased severity of various addictions. A COVID-19-specific sense of control mediated the relationship between fear and addictive behaviors, particularly for women.

Conclusions
This study highlights the impact of fear and sense of control on addictive behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Promoting a sense of control may mitigate the risk of addiction in the face of pandemic-related stress. Public health efforts should address the potential for long-term consequences of addictive behaviors exacerbated by such global health crises, as similar challenges may arise with future outbreaks.

COVID-19, sense of control, and the rise of addictive behaviors: a study in Poland

Monika P. Górowska 1, 2 , Katarzyna Obarska 3, 4 , Karol Szymczak 5 , Mateusz Gola 3, 6 , Jan Chodkiewicz 7

Monika P. Górowska

^{1, 2}

,

Katarzyna Obarska

^{3, 4}

,

Karol Szymczak

⁵

,

Mateusz Gola

^{3, 6}

,

Jan Chodkiewicz

⁷