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Ciccarelli M, Pizzini B, Griffiths MD, Cosenza M, Nigro G, D'Olimpio F. Attentional disengagement, craving, and mentalizing: a preliminary experimental study among older-aged male gamblers. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:164. [PMID: 38504324 PMCID: PMC10949650 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01651-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Empirical studies have demonstrated the role that attentional bias, the mutual excitatory relationship between attentional bias and craving, and mentalizing play in problem gambling. Although problem gambling rates among older-aged adults have steadily increased in recent years, research studies among this cohort are scarce. The present study is the first to empirically investigate attentional bias, as well as the joint role of attentional bias, craving, and mentalizing among older-aged gamblers. METHOD Thirty-six male older-aged gamblers were administered the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the Gambling Craving Scale (GACS), and the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) to assess gambling severity, craving levels, and mentalizing, respectively. Participants also performed a modified Posner Task to investigate attentional biases. RESULTS Hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that among older-aged male gamblers, GACS Anticipation and RFQ-8 Uncertainty about mental states, as well as disengagement bias at 100 ms, significantly predicted gambling severity. CONCLUSION The present study provides the first empirical support for the role of attentional bias, craving, and mentalizing among older-aged gambling. More specifically, a difficult in disengaging attention away from gambling, the anticipation of pleasure deriving from gambling, and hypomentalizing predicted gambling severity among older-aged gamblers. The findings make an important contribution, by identifying the factors responsible for problem gambling among this specific age cohort and suggesting that timely interventions for mentalizing and attentional bias may be necessary to prevent problem gambling in old age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ciccarelli
- Department of Psychology, Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Viale Ellittico, 31, Caserta, 81100, Italy.
| | - Barbara Pizzini
- Università Giustino Fortunato, Via Raffaele Delcogliano, 12, Benevento, 82100, Italy
| | - Mark D Griffiths
- Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK
| | - Marina Cosenza
- Department of Psychology, Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Viale Ellittico, 31, Caserta, 81100, Italy
| | - Giovanna Nigro
- Department of Psychology, Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Viale Ellittico, 31, Caserta, 81100, Italy
| | - Francesca D'Olimpio
- Department of Psychology, Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Viale Ellittico, 31, Caserta, 81100, Italy
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Angelini F, Pivetta E, Marino C, Canale N, Spada MM, Vieno A. Social norms and problematic gaming among adolescents: The role of Internet use coping motives. Addict Behav 2024; 148:107865. [PMID: 37804747 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Problematic gaming (PG) is a public health issue among adolescents worldwide. Although several studies have documented that peer influences constitute a relevant risk factor for adolescent problematic behaviors, little research is currently available on PG. The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of social norms and perceived friends' gaming frequency on participants' own gaming frequency and PG, by testing potential differences among groups with low vs. high motive to use the Internet (e.g., online gaming) as a coping strategy. METHOD A survey was administered to 470 adolescent gamers (mean age = 15.49 years; SD = 1.05 years; 77.9 % males). A theoretical model was tested through path analysis and multi-group comparisons were performed. RESULTS Path analysis revealed that social norms and perceived friends' gaming frequency were positively associated to participants' gaming behaviors and PG. Additionally, different patterns between groups emerged. CONCLUSION Our findings confirmed the relative importance of peer influences on adolescents' gaming behaviors and PG and showed that adolescents who rely more on online gaming to cope with negative affect may be more vulnerable to social influence processes than other peers. These findings may provide useful indications for prevention programs targeting adolescent PG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Angelini
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Erika Pivetta
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Claudia Marino
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy; Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, United Kingdom.
| | - Natale Canale
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Marcantonio M Spada
- Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, United Kingdom.
| | - Alessio Vieno
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
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Horváth Z, Paksi B, Eisinger A, Felvinczi K, Demetrovics O, Demetrovics Z. Longitudinal joint trajectories of gambling disorder and hypomentalization: A latent class growth analysis among young adults. Compr Psychiatry 2023; 126:152409. [PMID: 37566950 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Only a few studies have investigated the relationship between risk for gambling disorder (GD) and mentalization difficulties. However, these results on positive correlations were all from cross-sectional studies; therefore, it would be important to investigate the longitudinal relationship between the constructs. AIMS It was aimed to identify subgroups of gamblers with different joint growth trajectories of risk for GD and hypomentalization (i.e., uncertainty of understanding own and others' mental states) and to compare the identified latent classes along impulsivity, sensation seeking and depression. METHODS Data from waves 1-3 of the Budapest Longitudinal Study were used. The final sample included 219 young adult gamblers who completed the study questionnaire and reported past-year gambling in all three waves (Females: N = 93 [42.29%]; Mean age: 28.36 years [SD = 4.29]). Standardized questionnaires were administered to measure the main constructs. RESULTS A four-class model was retained based on latent class growth analysis. Class 1 had consistently moderately high risk for GD and hypomentalization, and Class 4 presented consistently low risk for GD and hypomentalization. Classes 2-3 were characterized by low risk for GD and increasing hypomentalization. Class 1 had significantly higher sensation seeking and depression compared with the other subgroups in multiple cases. Class 4 showed significantly lower impulsivity and sensation seeking than the other classes. CONCLUSIONS Elevated hypomentalization was presented among individuals with risk for GD. However, there is little empirical evidence to support that the two constructs have convergently changing trajectories. A cautious interpretation of the results is recommended due to low symptom presence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Horváth
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar.
| | - Borbála Paksi
- Institute of Education, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea Eisinger
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Felvinczi
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Zsolt Demetrovics
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar
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Shen J, Zheng J, Zhang T. The association between future self-continuity and problematic mobile video gaming among Chinese college students: the serial mediation of consideration of future consequences and state self-control capacity. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:227. [PMID: 37550795 PMCID: PMC10408220 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01256-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To explore the relationship between future self-continuity and problematic mobile video gaming among Chinese college students and to examine the serial mediation of consideration of future consequences and state self-control capacity on the association between future self-continuity and problematic mobile video gaming, based on Identity-Based Motivation Theory. METHODS The Problematic Mobile Video Gaming Scale, Future Self-continuity Scale, Consideration of Future Consequences Scale, and Short Version of State Self-control Capacity Scale were administered to a sample comprising 800 college students (338 males accounting for 42.3%). Multivariate analysis and latent variables analysis were utilized to explore the separate mediating role consideration of future consequences and state self-control capacity played in the association between future self-continuity and problematic mobile video gaming, and their serial mediation also was investigated. The Bootstrap method was employed to test the significance of these mediation effects. RESULTS The negative association between future self-continuity and problematic mobile video gaming was moderately found. Students with increased consideration of future consequences from higher levels of future self-continuity have decreased their problematic mobile video gaming. Future self-continuity significantly positively predicted state self-control capacity, which in turn significantly negatively predicted problematic mobile video gaming. The serial mediation was also found. CONCLUSION The findings revealed why differences in identification with the current and future selves become influencing factors in problematic mobile video gaming. This study observed the mediating role that consideration of future consequences and state self-control capacity play in the association between future self-continuity and problematic mobile video gaming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxian Shen
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, People's Republic of China
- Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiansong Zheng
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tao Zhang
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, People's Republic of China
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Komzia N, Bäckström M, Håkansson A. Gender and maladaptive personality correlates in problem gambling and over-indebtedness: Novel findings from a cross-sectional study in Sweden. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18844. [PMID: 37701411 PMCID: PMC10493418 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Although most individuals consider gambling to be an innocent and fun activity, when it develops into problem gambling, it can have detrimental outcomes to one's life, such as over-indebtedness. This cross-sectional study explores the role of maladaptive personality traits and gender in both problem gambling and over-indebtedness, in an online sample of 1479 adult gamblers (65% males) in Sweden. Participants were administered the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Brief Form (PID-5-BF), and questions addressing subjective over-indebtedness and other risk factors. Quasi-Poisson loglinear models and logistic regression analyses demonstrated that Disinhibition (OR = 1.38, 95% CI [1.24, 1.53]), and Antagonism (OR = 1.23, 95% CI [1.14, 1.34]) showed the strongest associations to problem gambling, and that only Disinhibition (OR = 1.72, 95% CI [1.22, 1.43]) and Antagonism (OR = 2.00, 95% CI [1.52, 2.66]) were significantly related to over-indebtedness. The prevalence of problem gambling and over-indebtedness was more common among women, and gender moderated the univariate relationships of Negative Affectivity, Disinhibition and Psychoticism to problem gambling. These findings call for future research addressing maladaptive personality traits, problem gambling and over-indebtedness, and highlight the need for tailored interventions and prevention strategies, particularly for women who may be at higher risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikoleta Komzia
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Bäckström
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Håkansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Gambling Disorder Unit, Malmö Addiction Center, Malmö, Sweden
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Pivetta E, Costa S, Antonietti JP, Marino C, Billieux J, Canale N. Adolescent problematic gaming and its association with maternal behaviors: A dyadic study focusing on the relational-emotional correlates. Addict Behav 2023; 140:107602. [PMID: 36621044 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Associations between Problematic Gaming (PG) and the relational-emotional correlates of parenting have been reported in the literature. Previous research mostly collected information from adolescents, however, and suggested that little is known about the perceptions of parents and whether these are shared among parent-adolescent dyads. Therefore, this study aimed to (a) examine multiple informants' reports of adolescent PG and maternal behaviors (i.e., warmth and indifference) and (b) disentangle the associations between the behaviors shared by mothers and adolescents from those unique to each member. METHOD Data were collected by using self-administered online questionnaires from 137 Italian mother-adolescent dyads in Italy. The mean age of adolescents (n = 92 males, n = 42 females, n = 3 nonbinary) was 14.68 (±1.25) years and that of mothers 47.48 (±4.69) years. Descriptive statistics and common fate model (CFM) analyses were conducted. RESULTS Mothers reported higher scores of their offspring's PG. Within-reporter interclass correlations revealed positive associations between maternal indifference and adolescent PG for both informants. CFM indicated that correlations between maternal behaviors and adolescent PG based on shared perceptions did not reach statistical significance, whereas correlations based on unique mothers' perceptions were statistically significant for all the observed relationships. CONCLUSIONS In the context of adolescent PG, mothers may have a heightened motivation to perceive their parenting as crucial. The multi-informant approach allows a more accurate examination of the associations between adolescent PG and maternal behaviors and underscores the need to consider discordant assessment of the same phenomenon between mothers and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Pivetta
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Sebastiano Costa
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Marino
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Joël Billieux
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Center for Excessive Gambling, Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University, Hospitals (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Natale Canale
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Ferrante L, Venuleo C, Sternativo GA, Rollo S, Cheah JH, Salvatore S, Ciavolino E. Relationship between view of context, psychosocial malaise and problematic internet use: mediation analysis using partial least squares structural equation modelling. BJPsych Open 2022; 8:e121. [PMID: 35770427 PMCID: PMC9301778 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to more recent approaches on problematic internet use (PIU), using the internet can be seen as a way of compensating for psychosocial malaise. Taking semiotic cultural psychology theory as its theoretical framework, this study examines the role of affect-laden assumptions concerning the world, known as latent dimensions of sense (LDSs), in promoting (or not) adaptive responses, including internet use as a maladaptive strategy against problems and difficulties. AIMS To test a theoretical model in which PIU is predicted by LDSs through the mediation of high levels of psychosocial malaise. METHOD We measured PIU (using the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2), LDSs (View of Context questionnaire), negative affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), social anxiety (Interaction Anxiousness Scale) and loneliness (Italian Loneliness Scale) in 764 Italian adolescents (mean age 15.05 years, s.d. = 1.152 years). LDSs were detected using a multiple correspondence analysis; after confirmatory composite analysis, partial least squares structural equation modelling with higher-order components was performed to test the mediation model. RESULTS The results show a relationship between LDSs corresponding to an extreme negative evaluation of the sociocultural context, experienced as absolutely unreliable, and PIU through the mediation of psychosocial malaise (95% CI 0.101- 0.171; P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS Overall, the findings suggest that PIU might be a way of compensating for unpleasant states in a context perceived in an extremely negative and homogenising way, i.e. as totally lacking resources and trustworthy people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrezia Ferrante
- Department of History, Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Claudia Venuleo
- Department of History, Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | | | - Simone Rollo
- Department of History, Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Jun-Hwa Cheah
- School of Business and Economics, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sergio Salvatore
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, University of Roma 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy; and Department of History, Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Enrico Ciavolino
- Department of History, Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
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Bersani FS, Accinni T, Carbone GA, Corazza O, Panno A, Prevete E, Bernabei L, Massullo C, Burkauskas J, Tarsitani L, Pasquini M, Biondi M, Farina B, Imperatori C. Problematic Use of the Internet Mediates the Association between Reduced Mentalization and Suicidal Ideation: A Cross-Sectional Study in Young Adults. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10050948. [PMID: 35628085 PMCID: PMC9140488 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10050948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Suicide is a major public health problem, and it is urgent to investigate its underlying clinical and psychological concomitants. It has been suggested that low mentalization skills and problematic use of the internet (PUI) are factors that can play a role in suicidal behaviors. It is possible that poor mentalization skills contribute to leading to forms of PUI, which, in turn, can represent triggers for suicidal ideation (SI). We tested this hypothesis through a quantitative and cross-sectional study on a sample (n = 623) of young adults (age range: 18−34). Self-report measures investigating symptoms related to Social Media Addiction (SMA), Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), mentalization capacity, and SI were used. A single mediation analysis with two mediators was carried out to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of mentalization on SI through the mediating role of SMA- and IGD-related symptoms, controlling for potential confounding factors (e.g., socio-demographic and addiction-related variables). The four explored variables were significantly associated with each other (all p < 0.001) across all subjects; the mediational model showed that the total effect of mentalization on SI was significant (B = −0.821, SE = 0.092 (95% CI: −1.001; −0.641)) and that both SMA- (B = −0.073, SE = 0.034 (95% CI: −0.145; −0.008)) and IGD-related symptoms (B = 0.046, SE = 0.027 (95% CI: −0.107; −0.001)) were significant mediators of such association. Our findings support the possibility that PUI severity plays a relevant role in mediating the association between low mentalization skills and levels of SI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Saverio Bersani
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (T.A.); (E.P.); (L.B.); (L.T.); (M.P.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tommaso Accinni
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (T.A.); (E.P.); (L.B.); (L.T.); (M.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Giuseppe Alessio Carbone
- Cognitive and Clinical Psychology Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy; (G.A.C.); (A.P.); (B.F.); (C.I.)
| | - Ornella Corazza
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9EU, UK;
| | - Angelo Panno
- Cognitive and Clinical Psychology Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy; (G.A.C.); (A.P.); (B.F.); (C.I.)
| | - Elisabeth Prevete
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (T.A.); (E.P.); (L.B.); (L.T.); (M.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Laura Bernabei
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (T.A.); (E.P.); (L.B.); (L.T.); (M.P.); (M.B.)
- Mental Health Department, ASL Roma 5 Hospital, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Massullo
- Experimental Psychology Laboratory, Department of Education, Roma Tre University, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Julius Burkauskas
- Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 00135 Palanga, Lithuania;
| | - Lorenzo Tarsitani
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (T.A.); (E.P.); (L.B.); (L.T.); (M.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Massimo Pasquini
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (T.A.); (E.P.); (L.B.); (L.T.); (M.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Massimo Biondi
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (T.A.); (E.P.); (L.B.); (L.T.); (M.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Benedetto Farina
- Cognitive and Clinical Psychology Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy; (G.A.C.); (A.P.); (B.F.); (C.I.)
| | - Claudio Imperatori
- Cognitive and Clinical Psychology Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy; (G.A.C.); (A.P.); (B.F.); (C.I.)
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