Does gambling type moderate the links between problem gambling, emotion regulation, anxiety, depression and gambling motives

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to assess the link between emotion regulation, depression, anxiety and gambling motives among a population of regular gamblers, distinguishing between strategic and chance game players. We recruited 287 regular gamblers online, including both problem (PG) and non-problem gamblers (NPG). All participants completed online questionnaires to screen for problem gambling (SOGS) and to assess emotion regulation (ERQ), anxiety and depression (HADS) and gambling motives (GMQ-F). In this sample, 33.4% of participants were PG. PG scored significantly higher than NPG on the GMQ-F (except for the social subscale) and HADS, but not in ERQ. Gamblers who played both strategic and chance games displayed more frequent and severe gambling problems and had higher depression and anxiety scores than those playing only strategic games. Overall, enhancement and financial motives and depression significantly predicted PG. Finally, the study found that gambling type moderates the relationship between problem gambling and expressive suppression, depression and gambling motives. The results show the intricate relationship between gambling motives and psychiatric symptoms (in particular, depression) in PG. Mixed and strategic gamblers share common motives, but coping, financial and enhancement were stronger among PG. Finally, they emphasize the differences between different types of gamblers.

KEYWORDS:

• Problem gambling
• anxiety
• depression
• emotion regulation
• gambling motives

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Mathilde Auclain and Elisey Lamy for their help, and Elisabeth Yates who assisted in the proofreading of the manuscript. Sincere gratitude is also expressed to all the gambler participants who took the time to complete questionnaires and to the webmasters of the websites who accepted publication of our announcement for recruitment.

Conflicts of interest

Competing interests

The authors declared no competing interests.

Constraints on publishing

The authors declared no constraints on publishing.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by GIS (Le Groupement d’Intérêt Scientifique) Jeu et société The GIS Jeu et société had no role in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of the data, writing the manuscript, or the decision to submit the article for publication.

Notes on contributors

Servane Barrault

Servane Barrault (PhD) is an assistant lecturer (maître de conferences des universités) in clinical psychology in the University of Tours and also works as a psychologist in an addiction treatment centre (CSAPA 37, CHU of Tours), where she leads preventive and treatment actions specifically among individuals with behavioural addictions. Her field of research concerns behavioural addictions (in particular, gambling disorder), their psychological and psychopathological features and vulnerability factors.

Sasha Mathieu

Sasha Mathieu is a PhD student associated with the Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Processes (EA 4057) at the University of Paris Descartes – Psychology Institute. Her Ph.D. thesis is focused on the role of gambling motives, cognitive distortions and emotional processes in gamblers. In addition, her research interests focus on psychological processes underlying in selective diets (especially vegetarianism and veganism), and their potential link with eating disorders.

Paul Brunault

Paul Brunault, MD, PhD is assistant professor (maître de conférences des universités – praticien hospitalier) at the University of Tours – Faculty of Medecine. He is member of the research team Inserm U1253 and associated member of the Department of Psychology EA 2114 – PAVea (Psychologie des Âges de la Vie et adaptation). He works at the University Hospital Center of Tours (Addiction Department). His main research interests focus on food addiction (especially in obese patients and bariatric surgery), the association between ADHD and addictive disorders, and behavioural addictions. To see his articles: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9317-228X

Isabelle Varescon

Isabelle Varescon is professor and director of the Laboratory of Psychopathology and Health Processes at the Universtiy Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris City. Her research interests are focused on drug or behavioural addictions in young adults and adults. She has written more than 60 articles and several books and book chapters in the field of addiction.