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03-08-2022 | Original Paper

The Relationship Between Gambling Disorder, Stressful Life Events, Gambling-Related Cognitive Distortions, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation, and Self-Control

Authors: Ashleigh Thurm, Jason Satel, Christian Montag, Mark D. Griffiths, Halley M. Pontes

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Gambling Disorder (GD) is a prominent psychiatric disorder affecting individuals worldwide. Research suggests that key risk factors for GD include stressful life events (SLEs) and specific psychological factors, such as gambling-related cognitive distortions. The present study investigated the potential mediating role of specific psychological factors (i.e., gambling-related cognitive distortions, difficulty in emotion regulation, and self-control) in the relationship between SLEs and GD. A cross-sectional study using an online survey was developed to investigate the relationship between SLEs and GD in a mediation model. A total of 516 participants were initially recruited online to the present study, and data from 290 participants were fully included in the statistical analyses conducted. Sociodemographic and gambling-related data were collected in addition to data related to participants’ SLEs, GD, gambling-related cognitive distortions, difficulty in emotion regulation, and self-control. The results of the parallel multiple mediation analysis conducted found that gambling-related cognitive distortions and difficulty in emotion regulation mediated the relationship between SLEs events and GD. However, self-control was not found to mediate this relationship. The findings suggest that individuals who experience SLEs may be more vulnerable to the development of GD through their belief in gambling-related cognitive distortions and experience of difficulty regulating their emotions. Implications regarding potential preventive efforts for GD are discussed.

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Title: The Relationship Between Gambling Disorder, Stressful Life Events, Gambling-Related Cognitive Distortions, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation, and Self-Control
Authors: Ashleigh Thurm
Jason Satel
Christian Montag
Mark D. Griffiths
Halley M. Pontes
Publication date: 03-08-2022
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10151-5

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The Relationship Between Gambling Disorder, Stressful Life Events, Gambling-Related Cognitive Distortions, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation, and Self-Control

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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Abstract

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