Gambling Motives: Do They Explain Cognitive Distortions in Male Poker Gamblers?

Association Between Gambling Motives, Violence and Early Maladaptive Schemas in Women with Gambling Disorder

Analyzing why being a victim of violence has led women to have problems with gambling is a field yet to be explored. Thus, the objectives of the present study were (I) analyze the relationship between gambling motives, received psychological violence, and early maladaptive schemas in women; (II) study differences in the study variables in women with and without gambling disorder (GD); (III) analyze the predictive role of violence and schemas in gambling motives; and (IV) analyze the mediating role of schemas in the relationship between violence and gambling motives. The sample comprised 61 women with GD (M = 48.43, SD = 12.78) and 342 women without GD (M = 26.91, SD = 11.47). The results of the present study revealed positive correlations between gambling motives, psychological violence received and early maladaptive schemas. In addition, women with GD scored higher on the study variables. It was also found that early maladaptive schemas based on subjugation and defectiveness may be a vulnerability factor for engaging in gambling to cope with the negative emotions produced by gender violence. From a clinical perspective, knowing the risk factors related to gambling motives in women is crucial to developing effective prevention and intervention programs.

Neurophysiological Correlates of Near-Wins in Gambling: A Systematic Literature Review

Identification of specific patterns of brain activity related to problem gambling may provide a deeper understanding of its underlying mechanisms, highlighting the importance of neurophysiological studies to better understand development and persistence of gambling behavior. The patterns of cognitive functioning have been investigated through electroencephalography (EEG) studies based on the near-win/near-miss (NW) effect. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the neurophysiological basis of NWs and their modulation by gambling problems through a systematic review of event-related potentials (ERP) studies elicited by feedback events. The review followed the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA). A total of 15 studies were included, 12 comprising non-problem gamblers (NPGs) and three comparing problem gamblers (PGs) with matched controls. For the P300 component, the win outcome elicited a larger amplitude than the other outcomes (NW and loss), followed by the NW outcome, which elicited a larger amplitude than loss in some studies. For feedback-related negativity (FRN), the loss outcome evoked a more negative amplitude in several studies, despite eliciting a similar amplitude to NW outcomes in others. For PGs, the NW outcome evoked a higher amplitude of P300 than loss, while NPGs showed a similar amplitude to both outcomes. The present review gathered information from different sources and provides a consistent view of the different studies. However, studies lack systematic and robust methodologies, leading to inconsistent results and making it difficult to reach any definitive conclusions.

What is known about population level programs designed to address gambling-related harm: rapid review of the evidence

BACKGROUND

Gambling and gambling-related harm attract significant researcher and policy attention. The liberalisation of gambling in most western countries is strongly associated with a marked rise in gambling activity and increases in gambling-related harm experienced at the population level. Programs to address gambling-related harm have traditionally focused on individuals who demonstrate problematic gambling behaviour, despite clear evidence of the effectiveness of a public health approach to high-risk activities like gambling. Little is known about the availability or efficacy of programs to address gambling-related harm at a population level.

METHODS

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation commissioned a rapid evidence review of the available evidence on programs designed to reduce gambling-related harm at a population level. The review was conducted using a public health and harm reduction lens. MEDLINE, ProQuest Central and PsychInfo databases were searched systematically. Included studies were published in English between 2017 - 2023 from all countries with gambling policy contexts and public health systems comparable to Australia's; included primary data; and focused on primary and/or secondary prevention of gambling-related harm or problems.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty-seven articles were eligible for inclusion. Themes identified in the literature included: risk and protective factors; primary prevention; secondary prevention; tertiary prevention; target population group; and public health approach. The evidence review revealed a gap in empirical evidence around effective interventions to reduce gambling-related harm at the population level, particularly from a public health perspective.

CONCLUSIONS

Addressing gambling-related harm requires a nuanced, multi-layered approach that acknowledges the complex social, environmental, and commercial nature of gambling and associated harms. Moreover, evidence demonstrates community programs to reduce gambling-related harm are more successful in reducing harm when based on sound theory of co-design and address the social aspects that contribute to harm.

Association between endocrine and neuropsychological endophenotypes and gambling disorder severity

BACKGROUND

Neurobiological characteristics have been identified regarding the severity of gambling disorder (GD). The aims of this study were: (1) to examine, through a path analysis, whether there was a relationship between neuroendocrine features, potentially mediational GD variables, and GD severity, and (2) to associate neuroendocrine variables, with GD severity-related variables according to gambling preferences.

METHODS

The sample included 297 outpatients with GD. We analyzed endocrine concentrations of different appetite-related hormones (ghrelin, liver antimicrobial peptide 2 [LEAP-2], leptin, adiponectin), and neuropsychological performance (working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition, decision making, premorbid intelligence). Path analysis assessed mechanisms between neuroendocrine features and GD severity, including mediational GD variables (impulsivity traits and gambling-related cognitive distortions). Partial correlations evaluated the associations between neuroendocrine variables, including impulsivity traits, and variables related to GD severity (DSM-5, South Oaks Gambling Screen, illness duration, and gambling-related cognitive distortions).

RESULTS

Lower adiponectin concentrations predicted greater GD severity, while higher LEAP-2 concentrations predicted more gambling-related cognitive distortions. Likewise, better neuropsychological performance directly predicted GD severity, but worse neuropsychological performance was associated with GD severity through the mediational variables of impulsivity traits and gambling-related cognitive distortions. Also, in non-strategic individuals with GD, poor working memory was associated with gambling expectancies and predictive control. In strategic individuals with GD, poor cognitive flexibility was associated with illusion of control, predictive control, and inability to stop gambling.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide updated information about the comprehension of the interaction between neuroendocrine features, clinical variables, and severity of GD. Thus, neurobiological functions seem to be strongly related to GD severity.

The Differences of Gambling-Related Harms Among Low-Investment and Normal-Investment Pachinko/Pachislot Players in Japan: A Cross Sectional Study

Pachinko and pachislot are popular types of gambling activities in Japan. Prior studies in Japan have reported a concerning prevalence of problem gambling among adult players. While these studies have identified various gambling-related harms, Japanese research on harm-minimization strategies is scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare differences of gambling-related harms among normal-, half-, and quarter-pachi players to the usefulness of low-investment pachinko and pachislot as a harm-reduction strategy. We considered gamblers who played games that cost the typical amount of money to be "normal-pachi players." Those who played low-investment games were categorized as "half-pachi players" and "quarter-pachi players," reflecting those who played games at half or one quarter the cost of a typical machine, respectively. To assess the harm-reduction effect, a one-way ANCOVA was conducted to compare the impact of the groups (normal-pachi players [n = 101], half-pachi players [n = 104], and quarter-pachi players [n = 100]) on dependent variables, namely the number of days players had gambled during the prior month; total time and amount of money spent on gambling; debts caused by gambling; gambling severity; cognitive distortion; depressive symptoms; and problems in work, family, and social life. We demonstrated that the amount of money spent by quarter-pachi players on gambling during the past month was lower than that of normal-pachi players. However, we did not find significant differences with respect to any other gambling-related harms among normal-, half-, and quarter-pachi players. Low-investment pachinko and pachislot players spends less the amount of money spent on gambling. Low-investment pachinko and pachislot would thus partly act as a harm-minimization strategy. Moreover, the results of the present study indicate that the problems at work affect various outcomes for gamblers. Given that 90% of the participants in this study were employed, the results of this study may have important implications for employed gamblers.

Correlates of Gambling Behaviours Among Day Traders: Evidence from a National Study

Although research examining the relationship between participation in financial speculation (e.g., purchasing penny stocks, shorting stocks, cryptocurrency trading, and day trading) is sparse, findings consistently indicate that engaging in speculative activities is associated with problematic gambling behaviour. For the present study, gamblers across Canada who had or had not also engaged in day trading were surveyed. A total of n = 467 day traders and n = 9,558 non-day traders were compared in terms of their sociodemographic backgrounds, gambling habits, primary gambling motives, and endorsement of gambling fallacies. Male gender, racial/ethnic minority status, higher educational attainment and income, not working or studying full- or part-time, participation in a larger number of gambling activities, and lower endorsement of coping motives were associated with day trading involvement. Furthermore, lower income, participation in a larger number of gambling activities, greater endorsement of gambling fallacies, and not showing a preference for either skill- or chance-based games predicted moderate-risk-to-problem gambling behaviour among day traders. This research provides insight into factors that may underlie day traders' susceptibility to experiencing gambling problems.

Health-Related, Social and Cognitive Factors Explaining Gambling Addiction

BACKGROUND

Gambling addiction was the first addictive behavior not related to substance use that was recognized by the DSM-5. It shares diagnostics and comorbidity with other addictions. Extensive studies have investigated the clinical variables involved, but there have been fewer studies of related cognitive and social variables. In this research, an integrative model was developed to advance the understanding of gambling addiction, and an explanatory model was created based on the concept of cognitive distortions.

METHODS

The sample comprised 258 university students (59.5% women) with a mean age of 20.95 years (SD = 2.19). A series of questionnaires were administered to measure gambling addiction, depression, coping with stress, prosocial behavior, susceptibility to priming and cognitive distortions about gambling. In addition, correlations, multiple linear regressions and a simple mediation model of these variables were analyzed.

RESULTS

The results indicated that gambling addiction was correlated with a variety of clinical, social and cognitive factors. These factors contributed to a model that predicted 16.8% of the variance in gambling addiction and another model using cognitive distortions as a predictor and the maximum bet as a mediator that predicted 34.5% of the variance.

CONCLUSIONS

The study represents an advance by developing a theoretical model from an integrative perspective and providing a new explanatory model. The findings of this research are of great importance in the development of prevention and intervention programs for gambling addiction.

Problem Gambling Poker Players: Do They Fit into Blaszczynski and Nower's Pathways Model?

Blaszczynski and Nower's (Addiction 97:487-499, 2002) Pathways Model, an integrative model based on problem gamblers' paths and comorbidities, aids in understanding the heterogeneity of problem gamblers' profiles by classifying them into three subgroups. The profiles of problem gamblers may be linked to the type of gambling practiced. Poker is a popular game, primarily due to the involvement of both chance and strategy in its outcome. However, no study has attempted to fit poker players into the Pathways Model. We recruited an online sample of 245 regular poker players (including 146 non-problem gamblers, 83 problem-gambling poker players, and 16 probable pathological gamblers). We assessed multiple variables (impulsivity, sensation seeking, alcohol and tobacco consumption, anxiety, depression, cognitive distortions) from the Pathways Model to determine whether the profiles of poker players fit into one or more gambler subgroups. Cluster analysis showed that poker players had a unique profile with a gambling practice intensity gradient. Compared to non-problem gamblers, problem gamblers displayed significantly higher levels of depression, impulsivity, gambling-related cognitive distortions, and alcohol consumption. Our results suggest that problem-gambling poker players fit into Blaszczynski and Nower's behaviorally conditioned gamblers group. This study opens avenues for both research into and treatment for problem gambling among poker players.

Do Gamers Play for Money? A Moderated Mediation of Gaming Motives, Relative Deprivation, and Upward Mobility

Past research indicates strong monetary motives for gambling often elevate an individual's risk of experiencing symptoms of gambling disorder, with personal relative deprivation (PRD) and upward mobility (UM) identified as key factors in this relationship. Nevertheless, few studies have examined how financial motives, PRD, and UM might interact for people playing modern video games-many of which offer financial incentives to encourage participation. Due to the overlap between gambling and (video) gaming, evidence suggests disordered gambling and disordered gaming might also share similarities. Therefore, the present study explored whether PRD influences associations between playing video games for financial motives, symptoms of Internet gaming disorder (IGD), and UM in two samples: 797 college students (Study 1) and 179 adult gamers over 25 years old (Study 2). Results from Study 1 revealed more PRD predicted more IGD symptoms, with higher financial gaming motives mediating the relationship. In Study 2, PRD also predicted IGD severity, but only coping motives appeared to mediate the positive association between PRD and IGD severity. In both samples, perceived UM inversely moderated the effect of PRD on one's financial or coping gaming motives. These findings suggest financial motives for video games might lead to more problematic forms of participation for younger adults and negative perceptions of PRD and UM might interact, similar to gambling, to elevate a gamer's vulnerability for IGD.

How gambling motives are associated with socio-demographics and gambling behavior - A Finnish population study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The aims were to examine how socio-demographics and gambling behavior relate to both primary and additional gambling motives, and whether the gambling motives change during a one-year-period.

METHODS

The Finnish Gambling Harms Survey data was used. Gambling motives were measured with a categorical question. Gambling severity was measured using the Problem and Pathological Gambling Measure (PPGM). Using the first-wave data including only past-year gamblers (n = 5,684), five logistic regression models were utilized to explore the associations of gambling motives with socio-demographics and gambling behavior. The stability of gambling motives was assessed with McNemar's test using longitudinal data (n = 2,078).

RESULTS

Gambling for positive feeling was associated with younger age, high income, high gambling involvement and at-risk gambling. Monetary motive was associated with female gender, high gambling involvement, online or mixed-mode and at-risk gambling. Supporting worthy causes was associated with older age, monthly and weekly gambling, and land-based gambling. Socializing was associated with younger age and gambling occasionally on land-based venues with multiple game types. Finally, the motive to escape was intensified among 25-34-year-olds, homemakers, and those with high gambling involvement and at-risk or problem gambling. Gambling motives remained relatively stable for one year.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Gender and age profiles varied in different motives. Positive feeling, socializing and escape motive was heightened among younger respondents while supporting worthy causes was heightened among the oldest. Women gambled for money more often than men. Escape motive was associated with problem gambling. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm the longitudinal results.

Positive Illusions: The Role of Cognitive Distortions Related to Gambling and Temporal Perspective in Chasing Behavior

Chasing, or continuing to gamble to recoup previous losses, is a behavioral marker and a diagnostic criterion for gambling disorder. Even though chasing has been recognized to play a central role in gambling disorder, research on chasing is still relatively scarce. This study first empirically investigated the interplay between cognitive distortions related to gambling, temporal perspective, and chasing behavior in a sample of habitual gamblers. Two hundred and fifty-five adults took part in the study. Participants completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS), the 14-item Consideration of Future Consequences scale (CFC-14), and performed a computerized task assessing chasing behavior. Participants were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions (Control, Loss, and Win). Hierarchical logistic regression analysis showed that the decision to chase depended on scores on the CFC-14 Immediate scale and the GRCS dimensions Gambling Expectancies and Interpretative Bias. Hierarchical linear regression analysis indicated that, chasing frequency was affected by Loss condition, distortions related to gambling expectancies and predictive control, as well as by myopia for the future. Interestingly, the results of path analysis clearly indicated that some cognitions related to gambling predict chasing frequency not only directly, but also indirectly via shortened time horizon. Notably, gambling severity did not predict either the decision to chase, or the chasing persistence. These findings provide further evidence that nonchasers and chasers seem to belong to two quite distinct subtypes of gamblers. Such a difference could be useful for targeting more effective intervention strategies in gambling disorder treatment.

Exploring the Predictive Value of Gambling Motives, Cognitive Distortions, and Materialism on Problem Gambling Severity in Adolescents and Young Adults

Gambling motives and cognitive distortions are thought to be associated because both coping and financial motives to gamble appear to be predictors of gambling related cognitive distortions. Therefore, there is an argument to be made that gambling motives, cognitive distortions, and materialism share common attributes and might be related to problem gambling severity. The present paper aims to examine the relationship between these three variables, both in a clinical and community setting, to see if they can predict gambling severity. A sample of 250 participants from the general population and 31 participants from the clinical population was recruited. The results showed that the clinical sample scored higher on gambling severity, cognitive distortions, materialism, and gambling motives. It also showed that low scores in enhancement motives and higher scores in social motives and gambling related cognitions predicted gambling severity in older gamblers, whereas for younger patients, gambling severity was best predicted by higher scores in materialism and coping motives, and lower scores for enhancement and social motives. In the community sample, gambling severity correlated with gambling related cognitive distortions and with gambling motives (except for social and coping motives within the women subsample). These results testify to the importance of materialism, cognitive distortions, and gambling motives as risk factors for problem gambling both in community and clinical samples.

The Severity of Gambling and Gambling Related Cognitions as Predictors of Emotional Regulation and Coping Strategies in Adolescents

People with gambling disorder (GD) exhibit distorted cognitions and superstitious beliefs more often than the general population. Similarly, difficulties in coping and emotion dysregulation are more prevalent among those with GD, and could determine the onset of GD in particularly vulnerable groups such as adolescents. This study examines the relationship between gambling severity and gambling-related cognitions with coping strategies and emotion regulation. Also, it explores how accurately gambling severity and gambling-related cognitions were able to predict emotion regulation and coping strategies. Two groups were recruited and analyzed: a community sample comprising 250 adolescents and young adults from secondary education schools, and a clinical sample of 31 patients with similar age characteristics seeking treatment for GD. The participants from the clinical sample scored higher on gambling severity, emotion dysregulation, cognitive biases, and maladaptive coping strategies. In the community sample, cognitive biases mediated the relationship between sex and emotion dysregulation and disengagement. People with GD use more often than controls maladaptive emotion regulation strategies to manage negative emotional states. This perspective emphasizes the need to focus on coping with emotions, as opposed to coping with problems, as the best approach to tackle gambling problems.

Motives for gambling, cognitive distortions, and irresponsible gambling: Proposal for an explanatory model of gambling addiction in university students

There are many factors that appear to be directly related to the development of gambling addiction problems, and it is important to understand these relationships from a clinical perspective in order to develop prevention and intervention programs. This research seeks to analyze the relationships these problems have with gambling motives, cognitive distortions and irresponsible gambling behavior, and proposes an explanatory model of gambling addiction. The sample was made up of 258 adults residing in the province of Valencia (59.5% women), with a mean age of 20.95 years (SD = 2.19). A series of questionnaires were applied to measure the variables involved, and bivariate correlations, simple and multiple linear regressions and a structural equation model were analyzed. The results indicated that gambling motives were positively related to cognitive distortions, acting as predictors of these. Additionally, the proposed theoretical model showed goodness of fit on various indices and explained 69% of variance in cognitive distortions, 37% of that in irresponsible gambling and 43% of that in gambling addiction. The main limitation of this research is that the sample belongs to a very specific population, who did not necessarily have gambling problems. The main contributions are uncovering some of the relationships between gambling motives and cognitive distortions and the proposal of a mediating role of irresponsible gambling in the relationship between cognitive distortions and the development of gambling problems. If the proposed model replicates, it can be of help to research and health professionals.

Metacognition in gambling disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

In recent literature, abnormalities in the metacognitive domain have been pointed out as psychological variables that may account for a wide range of psychopathologies, including gambling disorder (GD). Considering the growing but scattered nature of the research concerning the relationship between metacognition and GD, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing results are required.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search through five scientific databases for research published till December 10, 2019, following PRISMA guidelines. We also searched grey literature. After removing the redundancy, 16.855 records were screened.

RESULTS

Unanimously, authors selected 10 articles based on the inclusion criteria. Four of the selected studies evaluated metacognitive abilities towards cognitive performances, mostly considering metacognitive deficits about decision-making, while metacognitive beliefs were assessed by six of the selected articles. Only one study examined metacognitive functioning regarding GD. The meta-analytic procedure was performed on 10 identified studies based on the criteria adopted, which comprised 1.655 individuals. Results showed that the average effect size linking metacognitive dysfunctions and GD was significant and moderated by the instrument used to measure metacognition.

CONCLUSIONS

The examined line of research is highly heterogeneous owing to the type of operationalization adopted for metacognition. The systematic review also showed a grey area, evidencing the lack of research on metacognitive functions. Results demonstrated by this meta-analysis call for future studies examining the role of metacognitive deficits in GD in order to delineate useful clinical indications.

The role of gambling type on gambling motives, cognitive distortions, and gambling severity in gamblers recruited online

The recent literature shows that the type of gambling practiced influences problem gambling. This study was aimed at investigating the factors associated with gambling type, including gambling severity, gambling motives, and cognitive distortions. A total of 291 regular male gamblers (229 skill gamblers and 62 mixed gamblers, i.e., those who play at least one game of chance and one skill game) were recruited online and assessed for gambling severity (South Oaks Gambling Screen), gambling motives (Gambling Motives Questionnaire-Financial), cognitive distortions (Gambling-Related Cognition Scale), and psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). After controlling for the number of games played and psychological distress, we found that gambling type was significantly associated with gambling severity. Moreover, controlling for psychological distress showed that gambling type was also significantly associated with coping motives and interpretative bias. First, mixed gamblers had higher severity scores and higher coping motivation than skill gamblers; second, skill gamblers seemed more at risk of developing interpretative bias. Thus, the gamblers presented different psychological, motivational, and cognitive profiles according to gambling type, indicating that different clinical interventions may be relevant. Working on coping motives and anxiety and depression symptoms with an abstinence purpose would be more suitable for mixed gamblers. Indeed, working on these points could lead to the gambler reducing or eventually ceasing gambling, as the need to regulate negative emotions through gambling behavior would fade in parallel. Gambling type, psychological distress, gambling motives, and cognitive distortions should be taken into consideration systematically in clinical interventions of patients with plural and mixed practice of games.

Cognitive Distortions in Gamblers and Non-gamblers of a Representative Spanish Sample

Cognitive biases or distortions related to gambling, present in all people, are considered a relevant factor in the development of gambling-related problems.

OBJECTIVE

to establish whether the presence of these biases or cognitive distortions, in gamblers and non-gamblers, is related to the presence of gambling problems.

METHOD

3000 people aged 18-81 years, representative of the Spanish adult population, underwent a structured survey.

RESULTS

the presence of distortions was relevant to distinguish gamblers according to their level of gambling engagement and problems. There is a constant and significant tendency to have more cognitive distortions as gambling problems increase. But not all distortions have the same ability to distinguish between the different groups of gamblers. The results seem to group gamblers into three groups according to the presence of cognitive distortions, from less to more: (1) non-gamblers, (2) low-risk and at-risk gamblers, and (3) problem and pathological gamblers. The relevance of this research and its practical implications for both treatment and prevention work is discussed.

Schizophrenia symptom severity and motivations for gambling in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

Individuals with schizophrenia are over three times more likely to have problem and pathological gambling (PPG) than the general population (Cunningham-Williams et al., 1998; Desai and Potenza, 2009), but little is known about this co-occurrence and how PPG relates to specific symptom dimensions of psychotic disorders. Although cognitive distortions in PPG have been linked to gambling motivations (e.g., distorted thoughts about odds of winning), how psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia or related disorders relate to gambling motivations have not been examined systematically to date. Individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n = 170) completed structured face-to-face interviews regarding problem-gambling severity, gambling motivations, and five symptom factors of psychosis (Positive, Negative, Disorganized/Concrete, Depressed, and Excited). Different symptom dimensions of psychosis showed distinct patterns of relationships with motivations to gamble and gambling onset. PPG in schizophrenia was associated with elevated scores on the Depressed factor. Psychotic symptom severity was associated with increased motivation to gamble for financial reasons and decreased motivations to gamble for service, and possibly social or interpersonal, reasons. Age of gambling onset was inversely associated with psychotic symptom severity, particularly positive features. Our findings suggest that motivations for gambling may differ in the context of schizophrenia and relate to specific symptom clusters.

Online Survey of Gambling Participation and Problem Gambling in Chiba City: Problem Gambling Rates May be Strongly Influenced by the Administration Mode

Prevalence studies on gambling participation and problem gambling in Japan have been limited. To obtain data showing the current status of gambling in Japan, we conducted an online survey on gambling participation and problem gambling among residents in Chiba City. The online data collection was conducted through an Internet research firm. Questionnaires were consisted of personal demographics, past-year gambling participation and severity of gambling risks. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) was used as a survey instrument. Males (51.5%) were significantly more likely than females (25.5%) to have gambled in the past year. Problem gamblers (PGSI score ≧ 8) were 7.2% among males and 1.2% among females. Problem gambling was strongly correlated with frequent gambling, preference for Pachinko/Slot and smoking habit. The gambling participation rates were roughly lower than those reported in many overseas jurisdictions, whereas the problem gambling rates were considerably higher than those reported in the same jurisdictions. According to the total consumption model, it would be reasonable to consider that gambling participation rates show a positive correlation with problem gambling rates. The high levels of problem gambling may be due to the administration mode using online sampling, by which answers admitting unapprovable behaviors like problem gambling tend to increase. This suggests that the previous studies using conventional face-to-face or telephone methods may have underestimated problem gambling rates.

Design and Measurement Properties of the Online Gambling Disorder Questionnaire (OGD-Q) in Spanish Adolescents

Gambling disorder is of great clinical and social relevance since it seriously affects people who suffer from it. More recently, the Internet has exacerbated the problem with online casinos, poker, and sports betting. However, there is little evidence of this problem, and we know of no diagnostic questionnaire. The main objectives of this study were to develop the Online Gambling Disorder Questionnaire (OGD-Q) for adolescents, evaluate its main psychometric properties, and establish diagnostic criteria to differentiate pathological from non-pathological online gamblers. We conducted a study in 16 schools across seven regions of Spain, sampling 2691 adolescents, 883 of whom had reported some online gambling experience. Of those, 602 were boys (68.2%) and 281 were girls (31.8%) Sampling was non-probabilistic and incidental. Mean age and standard deviation were 14.25 ± 1.55 (11-19 years). Confirmatory factor analysis yielded a one-dimensional model with a good fit. The reliability indicators were satisfactory (>0.94). The scores on the OGD-Q were related to other constructs, such as Internet gaming disorder, problematic Internet use, and nomophobia. Participants classified as having problems or being at risk of online gambling disorder presented significantly more stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants categorized as having online gambling disorder comprised 0.89% (n = 24) of the total sample and 2.71% of those who have gambled at some time. We discuss these findings and their practical implications in this article and propose future lines of research.

Learning to lose control: A process-based account of behavioral addiction

Learning psycho(bio)logy has developed a solid corpus of evidence and theory regarding behavior control modes. The present article briefly reviews that literature and its influence on recent models in which the transition from goal-directed to compulsive behavior is identified as the main process underlying substance use disorders. This literature is also relevant to non-substance addictive disorders, and serves as basis to propose a restricted definition of behavioral addiction relying on the presence of behavior-specific compulsivity. Complementarily, we consider whether some activities can become disordered while remaining mostly goal-driven. Based on reinforcement learning models, relative outcome utility computation is proposed as an alternative mechanism through which dysfunctional behaviors (even not qualifying as addictive) can override adaptive ones, causing functional impairment. Beyond issues of conceptual delimitation, recommendations are made regarding the importance of identifying individual etiological pathways to dysregulated behavior, the necessity of accurately profiling at-risk individuals, and the potential hazards of symptom-based diagnosis. In our view, the validity of these recommendations does not depend on the position one takes in the nosological debate.

The gambler's fallacy in problem and non-problem gamblers

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Although numerous correlational studies have shown an association between cognitive distortions and problem gambling, only a few behavioral studies have investigated this topic by comparing problem (PGs) and non-problem gamblers (N-PGs). This quasi-experiment investigated the occurrence in both groups of a widespread cognitive distortion, the gambler's fallacy (GF), using a fictitious roulette game. Moreover, it investigated whether the GF increased the bet amount and whether impulsivity and sensation seeking were associated with the GF.

METHODS

Two indices of the GF were used: a cognitive index, the probability estimate of each outcome (black/red) after manipulating the final run length (the same outcome occurring four times/once), and a behavioral index, the choice of the outcome on which to bet. A total of 320 (160 PGs and 160 N-PGs) unpaid male volunteers, aged between 18 and 68, participated in this study.

HYPOTHESES

Erroneous probability estimates should mediate the effect of longer runs on the alternation choice (i.e., the choice of an outcome different from the previous one) to support the occurrence of GF. The GF should increase betting. PGs should be more prone than N-PGs to GF.

RESULTS

The choice of the outcome depended on both cognitive (erroneous probability estimates) and affective (preference for red) factors. PGs bet more than N-PGs but they were not more prone than N-PGs to incurring GF. Although impulsivity and sensation seeking were more intense in PGs than in N-PGs, they scarcely affected GF.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our results corroborate the tested model of the GF that links mistaken probability estimates, choice of the outcome on which to bet, and bet amount. However, they are similar to PGs and N-PGs and fail to corroborate the hypothesis that the GF is more evident in PGs.

Gambling symptoms, behaviors, and cognitive distortions in Japanese university students

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between symptoms of gambling problems, gambling behaviours, and cognitive distortions among a university student population in Japan ages 20 to 29 years. We aimed to address the gap in knowledge of gambling disorders and treatment for this population.

METHODS

Data were obtained from 1471 Japanese undergraduate students from 19 universities in Japan. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical multivariate regression analysis were used to investigate whether the factors of gambling cognitive distortions would have predictive effects on gambling disorder symptoms.

RESULTS

Results indicated that 5.1% of the participants are classifiable as probable disordered gamblers. The bias of the gambling type to pachinko and pachislot was unique to gamblers in Japan. Of the students sampled, 342 self-reported gambling symptoms via the South Oaks Gambling Screen. Hierarchical multivariate regression analysis indicated that one domain of gambling cognitive distortions was associated significantly with gambling symptoms among the 342 symptomatic participants: gambling expectancy (β = 0.19, p < .05). The multivariate model explained 47% of the variance in the gambling symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This study successfully contributed to the sparse research on university student gambling in Japan. Specifically, our results indicated a statistically significant relationship between gambling cognitive distortions and gambling disorder symptoms. These results can inform the development of preventive education and treatment for university students with gambling disorder in Japan. The report also describes needs for future research of university students with gambling disorder.

How learning misconceptions can improve outcomes and youth engagement with gambling education programs

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gambling education programs typically focus on promoting gambling as a high-risk activity with harmful effects; however, these programs demonstrate limited effects on the prevention of gambling problems. This paper proposes a clear theoretical framework to inform the content and delivery of gambling education initiatives and draws on psychological and pedagogical research to address some of the practical issues associated with its implementation.

METHODS

Literature was reviewed across fields of psychology, public health, and pedagogy to provide key recommendations to improve the outcomes of gambling education.

RESULTS

Four key recommendations were made for the development of future gambling education programs centering on theoretical approach, specialized content, and delivery.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Recommended advancements are as follows: (a) evidence suggests shifting away from messages about gambling harms and instead applying a cognitive-developmental framework of problem gambling that may improve youth engagement by increasing personal relevance. (b) The cognitive model of problem gambling suggests that misconceptions about the profitability of gambling games (e.g., the gambler's fallacy) play an important role in the development of problems and should be a key target for education. However, exposing such misconceptions requires the challenge of teaching the mathematical principles that underpin them. (c) The pedagogical field provides valuable insights into teaching complex concepts. Research that applies the conceptual change model to science education suggests misconceptions also facilitate learning new complex information, such as gambling-related mathematical concepts (i.e., randomness and statistics). (d) In addition, improvements in computer-assisted teaching methods provide opportunities to use simulations and visualizations to help teach abstract concepts and correct such misconceptions.

Reconsidering the roots, structure, and implications of gambling motives: An integrative approach

Rationale and method

Accurately identifying motives to gamble is crucial in the functional analysis of gambling behavior. In this study, a data-driven approach was followed to clarify the factor structure underlying a pool of motives for gambling, selected from the Gambling Motives Questionnaire–Financial (GMQ-F), and the Reasons for Gambling Questionnaire (RGQ), in a sample of regular problem and non-problem gamblers. Additionally, the role of gambling motives in the relationship between root behavioral activation/inhibition systems (BIS/BAS) and gambling severity, frequency, and preferences was explored using structural equation modelling (SEM).

Results and conclusions

The present study identified Social, Financial, and Fun/thrill-related gambling motives factors, but also a fourth factor in which some positive and negative reinforcement-based motives were grouped into a single and broader Affect regulation factor. This Affect regulation factor shared variance both with BIS and BAS-related measures, and was the only direct predictor of disordered gambling symptoms. The Fun/thrill factor was directly related to frequency of participation in high-arousal, skill-based games, and all factors were related to participation in lower-arousal, chance games (with Social motives negatively predicting both participation in the latter and total severity). In the SEM model, measures of BIS/BAS sensitivity were connected to gambling behavior only through gambling motives. Based on measures of items’ specificity, a shortened Spanish scale (the brief Gambling Motives Inventory, bGMI) is proposed to assess gambling motives in accordance with the observed 4-factor structure.

Metacognitive beliefs in addictive behaviours: A systematic review

A wide research base has shown the link between metacognitive beliefs and psychopathology and there is currently evidence that elevated levels of maladaptive metacognitive beliefs are present in the majority of psychological disorders. An increasing body of evidence also suggests that metacognitive beliefs may play a role in alcohol use, nicotine use, gambling, online gaming and problematic internet use. This article provides a systematic review of empirical studies that have examined metacognitive beliefs and addictive behaviours. Thirty-eight studies were included, with results showing a significant positive association between metacognitive beliefs and addictive behaviours. These results are consistent with the metacognitive model of addictive behaviour that supports the central role of metacognitive beliefs in the development and maintenance of addictive behaviours. However, our review highlights the paucity of longitudinal and experimental studies, preventing the determination of the causal status of metacognitive beliefs in addictive behaviours. Despite this limitation, the current evidence has important treatment implications because it suggests that interventions that target metacognitive beliefs could be beneficial for people presenting with addictive behaviours.

Gambling and Impulsivity Traits: A Recipe for Criminal Behavior?

Gambling disorder (GD) is a psychiatric condition that was recently recategorized as a non-substance-related addiction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders. Criminal activity is commonly associated with gambling; however, few empirical studies to date have examined sociodemographic and psychological variables in this population. In this study, we explored criminal behavior history in a sample of consecutively recruited treatment-seeking gamblers (n = 382) and compared subjects with a history of illegal acts (n = 103, 26.9%) to those with no criminal record (n = 279, 73.1%). Impulsivity and personality traits were specifically explored, along with other gambling-related severity factors. We found that gamblers who engaged in illegal activity were more likely to endorse high levels of urgency (i.e., the tendency to act out when experiencing heightened emotional states) and increased lack of premeditation. Gamblers with a history of criminal behavior also had greater GD severity levels and gambling-related debts. Additionally, these gamblers reported lower levels of self-directedness, which is characterized by difficulty in establishing and redirecting behavior toward one's goals. Likewise, gamblers who had conducted criminal acts showed a tendency to engage in greater risk-taking behavior. These results shed new light on this understudied population and provide insights for developing targeted harm-prevention interventions and treatment protocols.