Self-reported impulsivity and inhibitory control in problem gamblers

Abstract

Impulsivity is considered a core feature of problem gambling; however, self-reported impulsivity and inhibitory control may reflect disparate constructs. We examined self-reported impulsivity and inhibitory control in 39 treatment-seeking problem gamblers and 41 matched controls using a range of self-report questionnaires and laboratory inhibitory control tasks. We also investigated differences between treatment-seeking problem gamblers who prefer strategic (e.g., sports betting) and nonstrategic (e.g., electronic gaming machines) gambling activities. Treatment-seeking problem gamblers demonstrated elevated self-reported impulsivity, more go errors on the Stop Signal Task, and a lower gap score on the Random Number Generation task than matched controls. However, overall we did not find strong evidence that treatment-seeking problem gamblers are more impulsive on laboratory inhibitory control measures. Furthermore, strategic and nonstrategic problem gamblers did not differ from their respective controls on either self-reported impulsivity questionnaires or laboratory inhibitory control measures. Contrary to expectations, our results suggest that inhibitory dyscontrol may not be a key component for some treatment-seeking problem gamblers.

Keywords:

• Problem gambling
• Impulsivity
• Inhibitory control
• Response inhibition
• Addiction.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dan Upton for the use of the Stop Signal Task and Jodie Feil for advice on development of the emotional Stroop task and for providing the Random Number Generation Task used in this study.

Funding

Peter G. Enticott was supported by a Clinical Research Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia.

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.