Maria Ciccarelli1, Mark D Griffiths2, Giovanna Nigro3, Marina Cosenza3. 1. Department of Psychology, Second University of Naples, Viale Ellittico, 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy. Electronic address: maria.ciccarelli@unina2.it. 2. Psychology Division, Department of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG1 4BU, United Kingdom. 3. Department of Psychology, Second University of Naples, Viale Ellittico, 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The etiology of problem gambling is multifaceted and complex. Among others factors, poor decision making, cognitive distortions (i.e., irrational beliefs about gambling), and emotional factors (e.g., negative mood states) appear to be among the most important factors in the development and maintenance of problem gambling. Although empirical evidence has suggested that cognitive distortions facilitate gambling and negative emotions are associated with gambling, the interplay between cognitive distortions, emotional states, and decision making in gambling remains unexplored. METHODS: Pathological gamblers (N = 54) and healthy controls (N = 54) completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, pathological gamblers showed poorer decision making and reported higher scores on measures assessing cognitive distortions and emotional distress. All measures were positively associated with gambling severity. A significant negative correlation between decision making and cognitive distortions was also observed. No associations were found between poor decision making and emotional distress. Logistic regression analysis indicated that cognitive distortions, emotional distress, and poor decision making were significant predictors of problem gambling. LIMITATIONS: The use of self-report measures and the absence of female participants limit the generalizability of the reported findings. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first to demonstrate the mutual influence between irrational beliefs and poor decision making, as well as the role of cognitive bias, emotional distress, and poor decision making in gambling disorder.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The etiology of problem gambling is multifaceted and complex. Among others factors, poor decision making, cognitive distortions (i.e., irrational beliefs about gambling), and emotional factors (e.g., negative mood states) appear to be among the most important factors in the development and maintenance of problem gambling. Although empirical evidence has suggested that cognitive distortions facilitate gambling and negative emotions are associated with gambling, the interplay between cognitive distortions, emotional states, and decision making in gambling remains unexplored. METHODS: Pathological gamblers (N = 54) and healthy controls (N = 54) completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, pathological gamblers showed poorer decision making and reported higher scores on measures assessing cognitive distortions and emotional distress. All measures were positively associated with gambling severity. A significant negative correlation between decision making and cognitive distortions was also observed. No associations were found between poor decision making and emotional distress. Logistic regression analysis indicated that cognitive distortions, emotional distress, and poor decision making were significant predictors of problem gambling. LIMITATIONS: The use of self-report measures and the absence of female participants limit the generalizability of the reported findings. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first to demonstrate the mutual influence between irrational beliefs and poor decision making, as well as the role of cognitive bias, emotional distress, and poor decision making in gambling disorder.
Authors: Victoria Fugariu; Martin H Zack; José N Nobrega; Paul J Fletcher; Fiona D Zeeb Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2020-01-06 Impact factor: 7.853
Authors: Susana Jiménez-Murcia; Roser Granero; Mònica Giménez; Amparo Del Pino-Gutiérrez; Gemma Mestre-Bach; Teresa Mena-Moreno; Laura Moragas; Marta Baño; Jéssica Sánchez-González; Marta de Gracia; Isabel Baenas-Soto; S Fabrizio Contaldo; Eduardo Valenciano-Mendoza; Bernat Mora-Maltas; Hibai López-González; José M Menchón; Fernando Fernández-Aranda Journal: Neuropsychiatr Date: 2020-03-03